Matt Keough – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Matt Keough made his mark in baseball history during his nine-year Major League Baseball run from 1977 to 1986. He pitched right-handed for five teams: the Oakland Athletics, New York Yankees, St. Louis Cardinals, Chicago Cubs, and Houston Astros.

Keough officially retired from MLB in 1986 after a final stint with the Astros. He didn’t stop there, though—he kept pitching in Japan for four more years with the Hanshin Tigers.

Keough’s career had some wild swings, honestly. He picked up All-Star honors as a rookie in 1978, but then hit a rough patch the next year, losing his first 14 decisions—a brutal stretch for any pitcher. Still, he fought back and grabbed AL Comeback Player of the Year in 1980.

His story isn’t just about stats. After playing, Keough moved into front office work, scouting, and special assistant gigs. He left a real mark on the teams he worked with. His journey shows how tough pro sports can be, why persistence matters, and how a baseball life can keep going long after a player hangs up his glove.

Matt Keough’s Baseball Career Overview

Matt Keough pitched for nine MLB seasons from 1977 to 1986. He built a reputation as a tough right-hander, even when things didn’t go his way.

He made an All-Star team in 1978, survived a record-tying losing streak, and later won AL Comeback Player of the Year in 1980.

Early MLB Years and Rookie Achievements

Keough stepped onto a big league mound for the first time on September 3, 1977, with the Oakland Athletics. He was just 22.

The A’s had drafted him as an infielder in the seventh round back in 1973. But after he struggled at the plate in Double-A in 1976, hitting only .210, the team switched him to pitching. That move paid off almost right away.

In 1978, Keough snagged his first and only All-Star selection as a rookie. He finished with a 3.24 ERA and an 8-15 record for a struggling A’s squad.

The next year, 1979, was rough. Keough lost his first 14 decisions, tying a major league record, and ended up with a 2-17 record and a .105 winning percentage.

Between 1978 and 1979, Keough went 28 straight starts without a win. That tied a record set way back in 1910-11.

Key Teams and Major League Tenure

The Oakland Athletics kept Keough as their mainstay from 1977 to 1983. He bounced back in 1980, going 16-13 and earning AL Comeback Player of the Year.

During the strike-shortened 1981 season, Keough went 10-6 and helped the A’s reach the AL Division Series. He pitched well in Game 3 of the AL Championship Series, giving up just one earned run over 8⅓ innings, though the Yankees still won 4-0.

Career Statistics by Team:

• Oakland Athletics (1977-1983): Main run, All-Star, Comeback Player
• New York Yankees (1983-1984): Traded there mid-1983
• St. Louis Cardinals (1985): Brief stint after injury
• Chicago Cubs (1986): Part of his final year
• Houston Astros (1986): Last MLB games

Keough’s 1982 season was another tough one. He tied for the AL lead with 18 losses, won 11, and gave up a league-high 38 home runs and 133 earned runs.

Transition and Final MLB Season in 1986

Keough’s journey across teams really started with his 1983 trade to the Yankees. Oakland sent him to New York for Marshall Brant and Ben Callahan.

Arm injuries dogged Keough during his Yankees days, so he spent a lot of time in the minors. His sore arm just wouldn’t cooperate.

He came back with the St. Louis Cardinals late in 1985 after working through his arm problems. In 1986, his last MLB season, he split time between Triple-A and two big league teams.

The Cubs and Astros both used Keough that year. His last MLB appearance came on October 2, 1986, pitching for Houston.

Keough wrapped up his nine-year MLB career with a 58-84 record, 590 strikeouts, and a 4.17 ERA over 1,190 innings. He threw seven shutouts and finished 57 complete games.

Performance Highlights and Pitching Achievements

Keough’s career had some real peaks and valleys. He made the All-Star team in 1978 and won Comeback Player of the Year in 1980. He also showed his stamina, tossing 57 complete games in nine seasons.

All-Star Appearance and Milestone Seasons

Keough made his only All-Star team in 1978, his second big league season. He went 8-15, but his 3.24 ERA showed he was tough to hit.

That year, he became a key part of the A’s rotation. His ERA stacked up pretty well against other AL pitchers.

Keough’s best year came in 1980, posting a 16-13 record. That was a major turnaround from his 1979 struggles.

In 1981, during the strike-shortened season, Keough helped the A’s make the playoffs. He went 10-6 and played a big role in their run to the AL Division Series.

Comeback Player of the Year Recognition

Keough got the 1980 AL Comeback Player of the Year after one of baseball’s toughest seasons. In 1979, he lost his first 14 decisions, tying a major league record.

He finished 1979 at 2-17, with a .105 winning percentage—the worst for a big league pitcher with at least 15 decisions since 1916.

That 28-start winless streak from 1978 to 1979 tied the MLB record held by Cliff Curtis.

His 16-win season in 1980 really showed his mental toughness. Not everyone bounces back like that.

Complete Games and Endurance Records

Over his career, Keough finished 57 games, which says a lot about how pitchers were used back then. He also threw seven shutouts when he was really on.

In 1981, some analysts guessed Keough threw about 131 pitches per complete game. That’s a heavy load and probably led to his arm troubles later on.

His 1982 season included 34 starts, but he battled control issues. He walked 101 batters and struck out only 75, which pointed to mechanical problems.

Manager Billy Martin’s heavy use of pitchers probably didn’t help Keough’s arm in the long run.

Notable Pitching Statistics

Keough ended up with 58 wins, 84 losses, and a 4.17 ERA in 1,190 innings. He struck out 590 hitters in the majors.

That 1982 season stands out for the wrong reasons. He tied for the league lead with 18 losses and gave up 38 home runs.

He also led the league with 133 earned runs allowed that year. That says a lot about his workload and how much he struggled.

Still, those 590 strikeouts show he could miss bats when things were working.

Challenges and Setbacks

Keough’s career really got sidetracked by injuries and some rough patches on the mound. He dealt with serious arm injuries and some ugly statistical slumps that set him back.

Injury Struggles and On-Field Difficulties

Keough’s arm started acting up in the early ’80s. What seemed like tendinitis turned out to be a partially torn rotator cuff after the 1984 season.

That injury really hurt his pitching. “I was throwing 80 miles per hour and getting my brains kicked in,” Keough admitted about those tough seasons.

He had rotator cuff surgery in 1984. That kept him out for most of the year, and he spent time on the disabled list and in the Yankees’ farm system.

After surgery, Keough spent all of 1985 rehabbing at Triple-A with the Cardinals. That long road back kept him away from the majors for a while.

By 1986, his last season, he still felt the effects of his injury history. He said he felt better physically, but control issues lingered and made pitching tough.

Major Slumps and Statistical Lows

Keough’s worst slump came in 1979, when he lost his first 14 games. He finished that year with a 2-17 record, one of the roughest seasons ever for a pitcher.

1982 wasn’t much better. Keough went 11-18 and gave up a league-leading 38 home runs. His ERA ballooned as hitters kept taking him deep.

Here’s a quick look at those tough stats:

• Career Record: 58 wins, 84 losses
• Notable Low: 2-17 in 1979
• Home Runs Allowed: Led AL with 38 in 1982

After a promising 6-4 start as a rookie in 1978, Keough only managed two more wins that year, finishing 8-15. That pattern—early flashes, then long slumps—kind of defined his career.

Post-MLB Career and Role as Special Assistant

When his playing days ended in 1992, Keough moved into baseball operations and front office work. He spent four seasons pitching in Japan, then came back to work with MLB teams. Eventually, he became a special assistant with the Oakland Athletics and worked closely with Billy Beane.

International Playing Experience in Japan

Keough signed with the Hanshin Tigers of Nippon Professional Baseball in 1987, after his MLB career fizzled out. He pitched for Hanshin from 1987 to 1990.

In Japan, Keough found some new life. He went 45-44 with a 3.73 ERA and struck out 398 in four seasons.

His ERA in Japan beat his MLB mark of 4.17. That experience gave him a few more years on the mound and a whole new perspective on the game.

Keough tried to come back to MLB with the California Angels in 1991 spring training, but didn’t make the team. He gave it another shot in March 1992 and actually made the major league roster.

But while sitting in the dugout during an exhibition game, a foul ball off John Patterson’s bat hit him in the temple. That head injury required surgery and ended his playing career for good.

Special Assistant Duties with Oakland Athletics

After playing, Keough jumped into baseball operations and scouting. He worked for the Oakland Athletics and Angels as a roving pitching coach and executive from 1992 to 1999.

He also scouted for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays for a while. Later, he returned to Oakland as a special assistant to the GM.

As a special assistant, Keough wore a lot of hats. He scouted, advised on pitching, and helped with baseball operations.

His experience as a pitcher gave him a sharp eye for talent and player development. The A’s valued his baseball knowledge and his knack for spotting potential.

Keough did both field work and front office stuff. He helped evaluate players, gave input on decisions, and worked as a go-between for different parts of the organization.

Relationship with Billy Beane

Matt Keough worked side by side with Billy Beane, the Athletics’ Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations. They built a professional relationship over several years while Keough served as a special assistant.

Beane often leaned on Keough’s deep baseball knowledge and experience as a former player. After Keough died in May 2020, Beane shared a heartfelt tribute about their time working together.

“Matt was a great baseball man and a proud Oakland A,” Beane said after Keough’s passing. You could really sense the respect Beane felt for what Keough brought to the organization.

The Athletics organization felt the loss deeply. The team said, “He left an unforgettable impression on everyone he touched in baseball.” Keough clearly made an impact during his post-playing days with the franchise.

Their partnership showed how the Athletics valued former players in their front office. Keough’s experience on the field and his baseball smarts made him a key member of Beane’s operations team.

Career Statistics and Legacy

Matt Keough pitched in the majors for nine seasons, finishing with a 58-84 win-loss record and a 4.17 ERA over 1,190 innings. His numbers show flashes of brilliance but also some tough stretches, especially during his seven years with the Oakland Athletics.

Win-Loss Record and ERA Profile

Keough’s career statistics really tell the tale of a pitcher who had both highs and lows. He racked up 58 wins and 84 losses, ending up with a .408 winning percentage. His 4.17 ERA was just a bit higher than the league average for his time.

His best year came in 1980. That season, he went 16-13 with a 2.92 ERA for Oakland. He managed to complete 20 games and threw two shutouts in 250 innings. That year, he showed he could handle a big workload and pitch deep into games.

But 1982 was rough for him. Keough went 11-18 with a 5.72 ERA and gave up 133 earned runs, the most he ever allowed in a season. He also surrendered 38 home runs, which really highlighted his struggles with keeping the ball in the park.

Keough struck out 590 batters and walked 510, so his strikeout-to-walk ratio landed at 1.16. Over nine seasons, he gave up 132 home runs, which averages out to about 15 per year.

Impact on the Game and Influence

Keough made his mark with his durability and willingness to eat up innings for his teams. At his peak with the Oakland Athletics, he often pitched over 175 innings and made more than 30 starts each year.

He reached his highest level of recognition in 1978 when he made the All-Star team. That year, he went 8-15 but posted a solid 3.24 ERA. Sometimes, the team’s performance just didn’t match up with his own.

Baseball ran in Keough’s blood. His father Marty Keough and uncle Joe Keough both played in the majors. His son Shane later pitched in Oakland’s minor league system from 2007 to 2010.

Keough also played for five different organizations, including the New York Yankees, St. Louis Cardinals, Chicago Cubs, and Houston Astros. He adapted to different team cultures and coaching styles wherever he went.

Recognition in Statistics and Rankings

Keough never broke into the top tier of statistical leaders, but he still stands out among Oakland Athletics pitchers from the late ’70s and early ’80s. He logged 1,190 career innings, which is no small feat.

His WAR (Wins Above Replacement) of 5.7 over nine seasons shows he contributed above replacement level, even with a losing record. In 1980, he posted his best single-season WAR at 3.3.

Keough’s 590 career strikeouts put him in the middle of the pack for his era. He wasn’t a power pitcher, but more of a contact guy. Out of 215 games played, he started 175 and finished 53 complete games, proving he could go the distance when needed.

Most of his career highlights came in Oakland, where he threw 1,060.1 of his innings and picked up 50 of his 58 career wins over seven seasons.

Personal Life and Net Worth Information

Matt Keough grew up in a baseball family and later became a public figure through reality TV. His finances reflected what you’d expect from a mid-level MLB pitcher in the ’70s and ’80s.

Family Baseball Heritage

Matt Keough was born on July 3, 1955, in Pomona, California, right into a baseball family. His dad, Marty Keough, played 11 seasons in the majors from 1956 to 1966, suiting up for teams like the Boston Red Sox and Cincinnati Reds.

His uncle, Joe Keough, also made the big leagues, playing from 1968 to 1973, mostly with the Kansas City Royals. Growing up with that kind of family background gave Matt a unique window into the game.

The tradition continued with Matt’s son Shane, who gave pro baseball a shot and reached the Stockton Ports, a Class A Oakland affiliate, before being released in 2010. His daughter Kara married NFL player Kyle Bosworth in 2014.

Later Years and Public Life

In 1984, Matt Keough married Jeana Tomasino, who was an actress and a former Playboy Playmate of the Month in November 1980. They had three kids together: Shane, Kara, and Colton.

Their marriage had a lot of ups and downs. They unofficially separated in the 1990s, legally separated in 2004, and finalized their divorce in 2019.

Keough got some extra attention when his ex-wife joined the reality show “The Real Housewives of Orange County.” He even showed up on the show, giving fans a glimpse of his life after baseball.

The family lived in a French-inspired mansion in Coto de Caza, which they bought in 1990. They put the property up for sale and rent several times, showing off a bit of their lifestyle during and after his baseball career.

Net Worth Overview

When Matt Keough died on May 1, 2020, people estimated his net worth at around $500,000. That number came from his decade in Major League Baseball, playing overseas, and the jobs he took after retiring.

He made his money playing for teams like the Oakland Athletics, New York Yankees, St. Louis Cardinals, Chicago Cubs, and Houston Astros. Later, he headed to Japan and joined the Hanshin Tigers in Nippon Professional Baseball from 1987 to 1990.

After he stopped playing, Keough took on scouting and executive roles with the Oakland Athletics. Those jobs gave him some extra income after his on-field days ended.

He even showed up on reality TV with his ex-wife, which boosted his public profile and probably brought in more earnings, but nobody really knows the exact numbers from those appearances.