Clayton Laws Kirby, Jr. (June 25, 1948 – October 11, 1991) was an American Major League Baseball (MLB) pitcher for the San Diego Padres (1969–1973), Cincinnati Reds (1974–75) and Montreal Expos (1976).

Clayton Laws "Clay" Kirby, Jr, was born in Washington, D.C., and attended Washington-Lee High School in Arlington, Virginia.

The first major league hitter he ever faced was Willie Mays, who walked, as Kirby gave up three earned runs in four innings.

[3] Although he led the National League in losses that year with 20 (against seven wins), he had a 3.80 earned run average in 35 starts with 215.1 innings pitched.

With one out Kirby walked Ken Singleton and the Mets pulled off a double steal, placing Agee on third.

[4] Now with two outs in the bottom of the eighth inning, Padres Manager Preston Gómez had Cito Gaston pinch-hit for Kirby, denying him a chance to complete the no-hitter.

[2] The Padres, who began play in 1969, were the last Major League Baseball team never to have thrown a no-hitter until Joe Musgrove threw the franchise's first on April 9, 2021 against the Texas Rangers.

In 1975, Kirby was one of six starters to win 10 or more games for the Big Red Machine, who won the National League title as he went 10–6 with an ERA of 4.72 in 19 starts.

[10] In January 1976 Kirby was stricken with a long bout of pneumonia before he joined the Expos in Florida for spring training.

The event, which benefited the American Lung Association, was part of the "Swing With the Legends Golf Series.

He was survived by his wife, Susan, his mother, Gloria, his sister, Carolyn, his son, Clayton, his daughter, Theresa, and two grandchildren.