Fred Hirsimaki has been known for his lasting endurance and great versatility, competing in a variety of running and field events, including the decathlon and pentathlon on the Senior Track circuit in championship meets. His career was highlighted by a bronze medal in the 65-69 age division 100-meter hurdles and placing in five other events at the 1991 World Veteran Games in Finland. On a national level, Hirsimaki qualified for the 1991 U.S. Senior Olympics in the 65-69 age division, established an age group high jump record of 4-8 at the U.S. National Seniors Sports Classic, set the 60-64 world record of 56.4 in the 300 hurdles during the 1986 Florida Masters and was second in the high jump and triple jump at the 1985 TAC Masters Track championships. As a third-place finisher in both the 1989 National Masters Indoor Pentathlon (60-64 division) and the 1986 U.S. Masters Track & Field decathlon, Hirsimaki displayed his overall talent. He also won 7 Ohio Senior Olympic gold medals and two bronze, competing in the 60-64 age group in 1985. The versatile performer had an outstanding high school basketball and track career at Conneaut, Ohio, played football and basketball at Findlay College and signed a pro baseball contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1948.