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Joel McKeon

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Joel McKeon
Pitcher
Born: (1963-02-25) February 25, 1963 (age 61)
Covington, Kentucky, U.S.
Batted: Left
Threw: Left
MLB debut
May 6, 1986, for the Chicago White Sox
Last MLB appearance
July 10, 1987, for the Chicago White Sox
MLB statistics
Win–loss record4–3
Earned run average5.17
Strikeouts32
Teams

Joel Jacob McKeon (born February 25, 1963) is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who played for two seasons. He played for the Chicago White Sox for 30 games during the 1986 Chicago White Sox season and 13 games during the 1987 Chicago White Sox season.

McKeon grew up in Erlanger, Kentucky but moved to Florida before high school.[1] McKeon attended South Broward High School in Hollywood, Florida and played college baseball at Miami Dade College.[2] In 1987, South Broward dedicated its baseball clubhouse to McKeon.[3]

He was drafted by the Chicago White Sox in 1982 and assigned to the Gulf Coast League to begin his professional career.[4]

McKeon's wrist was injured early in spring training in 1986 but he performed well enough in the first month of the Triple-A season to earn his first promotion to the Major Leagues on May 7, 1986. Outfielder Rodney Craig was promoted to make room for him on the roster.[5] He made his Major League debut on May 6 against the New York Yankees;[6] he pitched a scoreless two thirds of an inning in relief of Dave Schmidt.[7] He recorded the only save of his career on June 6 of that season, retiring both Oakland Athletics batters he faced in the bottom of the ninth inning.[6][8] In July, McKeon contracted hepatitis in Cleveland and was hospitalized in Chicago. He was placed on the disabled list and would not return that season.[2][9]

In 1987, McKeon was demoted to the minor leagues on June 4 after eleven appearances with the White Sox. On June 30, pitcher Ray Searage was demoted and McKeon was recalled to the Major League roster.[10] He was demoted again on July 16.[11] All said, he pitched 21 innings in with the White Sox in 1987 and allowed 22 earned runs. It would be his final season at the Major League level.[6]

On February 11, 1988, McKeon was selected as the player to be named later in a trade to the San Diego Padres for Ed Wojna.[12] McKeon was not added to the 40-man roster but was invited to spring training.[13] McKeon would spend the next four seasons in the farm systems of the Padres, Montreal Expos, Atlanta Braves and Baltimore Orioles. His final season in affiliated Minor League Baseball came in 1991.[4]

After his final season in North America, McKeon signed a contract to play baseball in Italy in 1992. However, after his contract fell through, he began pitching and managing for a team in Brasschaat, Belgium instead.[14] He continued to play for the team at least through the 1995 season, also balancing it with a job in his father's automotive services supply company in Hollywood, Florida.[15][16] In 1995, he coached the Belgian representative at the European Cup.[16]

While playing in Belgium, McKeon met a woman named Karen who he would marry.[16]

References

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  1. ^ Weber, James (April 8, 2020). "A look at Northern Kentucky players in Major League Baseball". The Cincinnati Enquirer. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
  2. ^ a b "Joel McKeon 50". Chicago Tribune. April 5, 1987. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
  3. ^ Boetel, Ray (February 12, 1987). "MCMILLON A LONG SHOT TO BREAK SCORING RECORD". Sun-Sentinel. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
  4. ^ a b "Joel McKeon Minor & Mexican Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
  5. ^ Sherman, Ed (May 7, 1986). "WALKER'S WRIST FEELING 'BETTER,' WEIGHTS TEST NEXT". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
  6. ^ a b c "Joel McKeon Stats". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
  7. ^ "New York Yankees at Chicago White Sox Box Score, May 6, 1986". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
  8. ^ "Oakland Athletics at Chicago White Sox Box Score, June 6, 1986". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
  9. ^ Sherman, Ed (July 24, 1986). "Sox Shot Down by Indians". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
  10. ^ "The Chicago White Sox recalled left-hander Joel McKeon from..." United Press International. June 30, 1987. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
  11. ^ "FOR THE RECORD". The Washington Post. July 16, 1987. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
  12. ^ Mitchell, Fred (February 12, 1988). "Dick Moss, Andre Dawson's agent, is sticking..." Chicago Tribune. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
  13. ^ "The San Diego Padres Thursday signed relief pitcher Mark..." United Press International. February 11, 1988. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
  14. ^ Thomsen, Ian (August 23, 1994). "Baseball, the Belgian Pastime". International Herald Tribune. The New York Times. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
  15. ^ "Baseball Missionary a Champ in Belgium". Associated Press. October 8, 1994. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
  16. ^ a b c Fireovid, Steve (1996). The 26th Man: One Minor League Pitcher's Pursuit of a Dream. U of Nebraska Press. p. 227. ISBN 978-0-8032-6891-3. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
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