Matt Keogh---1981
The Keoughs put together lengthy
playing careers despite experiencing
modest success. Marty was a part-time
player during his 11 seasons at the
game’s top level and hit a career-best .
278 in 111 outings with the Reds in
1962. His brother, Joe, reached the
big leagues in 1966, the last year
Marty toiled in the majors, after playing
semi-pro baseball in Canada. Joe
Keough reached the A’s and hit a
home run in his first major league at-
bat, yet did little thereafter, with his .
248 norm in 110 games for the Royals
in 1971 serving as his high-water mark.
Matt, meanwhile, followed in his uncle’s
footsteps by reaching the big leagues
with the A’s. An infielder during his
minor league career, Matt moved the
mound in 1976 and reached the major
leagues a year later.
Since every club is required to be
represented in the annual All-Star
Game; Keogh with a 6-4, 2.16 mark at
the break was picked to represent the
A's in the 1978 Mid-Summer Classic.
Unfortunately the rest of the season
didn't go well for Matt, as he finished 8-
15 on the year.
In 1979, he went 2-17, yet remained in
the Oakland rotation at the insistence
of owner Charley Finley and for the
simple reason that someone had to
take the mound for the last place
Athletics. He rebounded from that
campaign to go 16-13 in 1980 and
earned Comeback Player of the Year
honors in the American League.
After experiencing an ailing arm and
tying for the AL lead with 18 losses in
1982, Matt again followed his dad’s
lead by concluding his playing days in
Japan.
Of all the Keoghs though, it was Matt
who would own the family bragging
rights, as both his father and uncle
were career .240-hitters. Though Matt
would compile a 58-84 lifetime record,
he would stand on the foul line for
introductions at both an All-Star Game
(1978) and a Playoff Series (1981).
(6/12/08)
playing careers despite experiencing
modest success. Marty was a part-time
player during his 11 seasons at the
game’s top level and hit a career-best .
278 in 111 outings with the Reds in
1962. His brother, Joe, reached the
big leagues in 1966, the last year
Marty toiled in the majors, after playing
semi-pro baseball in Canada. Joe
Keough reached the A’s and hit a
home run in his first major league at-
bat, yet did little thereafter, with his .
248 norm in 110 games for the Royals
in 1971 serving as his high-water mark.
Matt, meanwhile, followed in his uncle’s
footsteps by reaching the big leagues
with the A’s. An infielder during his
minor league career, Matt moved the
mound in 1976 and reached the major
leagues a year later.
Since every club is required to be
represented in the annual All-Star
Game; Keogh with a 6-4, 2.16 mark at
the break was picked to represent the
A's in the 1978 Mid-Summer Classic.
Unfortunately the rest of the season
didn't go well for Matt, as he finished 8-
15 on the year.
In 1979, he went 2-17, yet remained in
the Oakland rotation at the insistence
of owner Charley Finley and for the
simple reason that someone had to
take the mound for the last place
Athletics. He rebounded from that
campaign to go 16-13 in 1980 and
earned Comeback Player of the Year
honors in the American League.
After experiencing an ailing arm and
tying for the AL lead with 18 losses in
1982, Matt again followed his dad’s
lead by concluding his playing days in
Japan.
Of all the Keoghs though, it was Matt
who would own the family bragging
rights, as both his father and uncle
were career .240-hitters. Though Matt
would compile a 58-84 lifetime record,
he would stand on the foul line for
introductions at both an All-Star Game
(1978) and a Playoff Series (1981).
(6/12/08)
