Birrer pitched for the Detroit Tigers, Baltimore Orioles and Los Angeles Dodgers in all or parts of three seasons spanning 1955–1958.

[1] His career highlight came on July 19, 1955, at Briggs Stadium, when he belted two three-run home runs off George Zuverink and Art Schallock, while pitching four scoreless innings in a 12–4 win over the Baltimore Orioles.

[4] Birrer also gave five seasons of good service in the Venezuelan League, while pitching for four teams, and starring in the Caribbean Series.

[5] Birrer then made the 1959 Caribbean Series All-Star team, after going 2–0 with a 1.25 ERA and 18 strikeouts in 212⁄3 innings, including a 13-inning victory.

[6] Birrer spent the last years of his life at a nursing home in Clarence, New York, where he died in 2013 at the age of 84.