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

Joe Keough only played six seasons in the big leagues, but he left behind some moments that fans still talk about. The lefty outfielder suited up from 1968 to 1973, bouncing between the Oakland Athletics, Kansas City Royals, and Chicago White Sox.

He played during a wild time in MLB history, as new teams popped up and the league changed fast. That era of expansion baseball? It was something else.

Keough stepped away from Major League Baseball after the 1973 season. He only appeared in five games with the Chicago White Sox before injuries finally caught up to him, closing the book on a career that once looked so promising.

Born in Pomona, California, Joe grew up in a baseball family. The A’s picked him in the second round of the first-ever MLB amateur draft in 1965.

His debut? Kind of a dream—he smashed a home run in his very first major league at-bat against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium. Not many guys can say that.

Joe’s story really shows the mix of thrill and struggle that comes with playing pro ball, especially when the league is changing. He had some big moments with Kansas City, but an injury in 1970 really threw his career off track.

Still, his impact goes beyond the numbers. He played a part in Royals history and kept the family baseball tradition alive.

Joe Keough’s Early Life and Path to Baseball

Joseph William Keough was born on January 7, 1946, in Pomona, California. Baseball ran deep in his family.

He went from being a high school standout to a promising professional prospect. Family support and early success helped set his path.

Family Background and Influences

Baseball wasn’t just a game in the Keough house—it was a way of life. Joe’s older brother Marty had already signed with the Cincinnati Reds before Joe even started high school.

The Keough family kept the baseball tradition strong for three generations. Marty carved out his own major league career, and Joe’s nephew Matt would later pitch in the majors.

Joe got an early look at what pro baseball was all about thanks to his family connections. Growing up in Pomona, he went to Pomona High School and started honing his skills as an outfielder.

Southern California baseball gave him year-round chances to play, which definitely helped him get better.

Amateur Career and College Highlights

After high school, Keough went to Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut, California. The junior college scene let him keep playing while working on his education.

In the summer of 1965, he played for a team in Valentine, Nebraska, in the amateur Basin League. He hit .290 with 7 home runs—a solid showing that helped him grow as a hitter.

That summer league experience really mattered. Scouts started to notice him because of his performance at Mt. San Antonio and in summer ball.

His talent and those strong amateur numbers made him a hot prospect for MLB teams.

Draft Selection and Minor League Development

The Kansas City Athletics grabbed Keough in the second round of the 1965 MLB June Amateur Draft. West Coast scout Art Lilly said the A’s saw Keough as “one of the best young hitting prospects in the country.”

Keough started his pro career in 1966 with the Burlington Bees. That first season was rough—he hit just .225, but he did show some pop with 14 home runs.

Adjusting to pro ball wasn’t easy. But in 1967, playing for the Leesburg A’s, he turned things around.

Keough boosted his average to .294 and led the Florida State League with 18 home runs. He also swiped 22 bases and earned MVP honors for his efforts.

By 1968, he made it to Birmingham in the Southern League. He batted .299 over 87 games, which earned him a call-up to the Oakland Athletics in August.

Major League Debut and Breakthrough Moments

Joe Keough jumped into Major League Baseball with a bang—a home run in his first at-bat against the New York Yankees in 1968. That moment changed everything for him.

Then came the expansion draft, and suddenly he had a shot to play a big role in Kansas City Royals history. He helped deliver their first-ever win.

Oakland Athletics Debut and First At-Bat Home Run

Keough made his MLB debut on August 7, 1968, at Yankee Stadium. He was just 22, coming in as a pinch hitter for Jack Aker in the eighth inning.

He faced Yankees reliever Lindy McDaniel and, on the very first pitch he saw, launched a home run into the right field seats. That tied the game at 3-3.

The game went to extras, and Reggie Jackson’s RBI single in the twelfth gave Oakland a 4-3 win.

Key Debut Statistics:

• Date: August 7, 1968
• Opponent: New York Yankees
• Result: Home run in first at-bat
• Final Score: Oakland 4, New York 3 (12 innings)

Even with that electric start, Keough only managed a .590 OPS during his short time with Oakland in 1968.

1969 MLB Expansion Draft and Move to Kansas City Royals

After the 1968 season, the Athletics left Keough unprotected for the expansion draft. His .590 OPS didn’t convince them to keep him as they built their championship team.

The Kansas City Royals picked him up in the American League’s second expansion draft. That move brought him back to Municipal Stadium, where the A’s used to play before moving to Oakland.

Keough made the Royals’ Opening Day roster as the team kicked off its first season. The expansion draft gave him a new shot at regular playing time.

This change worked out for both him and the Royals. Keough became a key part of the team’s early days.

Role in the Royals’ Inaugural Game Win

Keough played a huge part in Royals history during their first-ever regular season game on April 8, 1969. The Royals faced the Twins at Municipal Stadium, and the game dragged into extra innings.

Manager Joe Gordon kept Keough on the bench for most of the day. The teams were tied 3-3 after eleven innings.

With runners on second and third in the twelfth, Gordon called on Keough to pinch hit for catcher Ellie Rodriguez. It was cold, and hitting wasn’t easy, but Keough came through.

He lined a single to right, scoring Joe Foy for the walk-off win. The Royals got their first victory in franchise history, 4-3.

“It was a very cold, cold day,” Keough later said. “I got a good pitch to hit and I hit it.”

That walk-off made him the hero of the Royals’ first win—he’ll always have that moment.

Career Highlights and Challenges with Kansas City Royals

Joe Keough’s years with the Kansas City Royals from 1969 to 1972 included his best season at the plate in 1970. He also suffered a tough injury that changed his career path.

He played both outfield and first base, showing he could adapt as the team grew.

Offensive Achievements and Memorable Games

Keough secured his place in Royals lore on April 8, 1969, driving in the winning run in the team’s first regular season game.

His best year at the plate came in 1970. He hit .322 in 183 at-bats, the highest mark of his pro career.

Across four seasons with Kansas City, Keough put up a .323 average with 7 home runs and 63 RBIs.

Fans liked him—he became a favorite during those early Royals years. His steady play helped shape the team’s identity.

The 1970 Injury and Its Aftermath

Right after his breakout 1970 season, Keough broke his leg. That injury hit during what should have been his prime.

The timing couldn’t have been worse. He had just proven himself as a hitter, and then everything changed.

Rehab took a lot out of him. The injury hurt his speed and mobility—tough losses for an outfielder.

He had to adjust his game, since he couldn’t rely on his athleticism like before.

Return to Play and Versatility on the Field

After healing up, Keough showed he could adapt. He started playing both outfield and first base, making himself useful wherever the Royals needed him.

His flexibility kept him on the roster, even though he wasn’t the same athlete as before.

Keough’s experience mattered to the young franchise. He brought some leadership and a steady presence.

He stuck with the Royals through 1972, pushing through challenges before heading to the White Sox for his last big league season.

Final MLB Season and Trade to Chicago White Sox

Joe Keough’s last year in the majors came in 1973. That wrapped up a six-year run across three American League teams.

His time with the Chicago White Sox was his final shot at sticking in the big leagues before he moved on to the minors.

Trade Details and Chicago White Sox Tenure

The Chicago White Sox brought in Keough for the 1973 season, making them his third and final MLB team.

He faced the challenge of fitting into a new clubhouse. The White Sox wanted veteran leadership and extra depth in the outfield.

Keough mostly served as a backup outfielder and pinch hitter. His experience with Oakland and Kansas City made him a solid bench option for manager Chuck Tanner.

That year was rough for both Keough and Chicago—the team struggled, and his playing time stayed limited.

Transition to Minor Leagues and Retirement

After 1973, Keough couldn’t land another major league contract. At 27, he had to decide whether to keep grinding in the minors or hang up his spikes.

He decided to keep playing in the minors for a bit, hoping he might make it back to the majors.

But the drop from MLB to the minors wasn’t easy. After five years in the big leagues, playing at a lower level with less pay was tough.

Keough retired from pro baseball after the 1973 season. He finished with a .230 average over 334 big league games with three teams.

Playing Style, Statistics, and Legacy

Joe Keough put up modest but respectable numbers over his six seasons in the majors. He finished with a .246 batting average and nine home runs.

He played both outfield and first base, making himself a valuable utility guy for three AL teams.

Career Batting and Fielding Statistics

Keough appeared in 332 MLB games from 1968 to 1973. He collected 212 hits, 81 RBIs, and scored 95 runs while playing for the Athletics, Royals, and White Sox.

His best offensive season came in 1971, when he played 110 games for Kansas City. That year, he set career highs in runs, hits, doubles, and RBIs.

Career Statistics:

• Batting Average: .246
• Home Runs: 9
• RBIs: 81
• Games Played: 332
• Fielding Percentage: .983

On defense, Keough posted a solid .983 fielding percentage. He proved reliable at multiple positions throughout his career.

Notable Records and Achievements

Keough made his debut on August 7, 1968, at Yankee Stadium. He hit a home run off pitcher Lindy McDaniel in his first major league at-bat with the Oakland Athletics.

His most historic moment? That happened during Kansas City’s inaugural game in April 1969. Keough stepped in as a pinch-hitter and knocked a single in the bottom of the 12th inning, giving the Royals a 4-3 win over the Minnesota Twins in their very first game.

In 1970, he looked like a rising star, batting .322 by late June. Then, on June 28, he broke his leg badly, ending his season early and, honestly, probably changing his career for good.

Versatility: Outfielder and First Baseman

Keough played all over the field during his career, mainly as an outfielder and first baseman. He covered every outfield spot, though you’d often find him in right field.

That kind of flexibility made him a real asset as a utility player. Managers could plug him in wherever they needed, which definitely helped with roster depth.

He batted and threw left-handed, which paired nicely with his ability to play multiple positions. At 6 feet tall and 185 pounds, he had the build to handle pretty much anything the coaches asked of him.

Life After Retirement and Personal Legacy

After his baseball days, Joseph William Keough jumped into business. He raised four kids and stayed close to the sport thanks to his extended baseball family. Kansas City fans still remember him as the guy who delivered the Royals’ first-ever walk-off hit.

Post-Baseball Career and Family Connections

Keough retired from baseball in 1973 and built a career in marketing and real estate development. He worked for companies like 7-Eleven, Burger King, Fotomat, PayLess Shoe Source, and EyeMasters.

He grew up in northern California but eventually settled in Texas, where he raised four children. He spent a lot of his retirement golfing, cooking, and hanging out with his five grandkids.

Baseball ran in the Keough family. His older brother Marty played in the majors from 1956 to 1966 for teams like the Red Sox and Reds. His nephew Matt Keough also pitched in the big leagues for the Oakland Athletics.

Even after retiring, Keough kept close ties to the Kansas City Royals. Fans remember him as approachable, and he almost never missed events for the 1969 Royals. “Those were some of the best times of my life,” he’d say with a grin when talking about his years with the team.

Lasting Impact on Baseball

Keough made his biggest mark on baseball during the Kansas City Royals’ first season in 1969. As a pinch hitter in the team’s first regular season game, he stepped up and gave the franchise its first walk-off hit.

This happened in the bottom of the 12th inning against the Minnesota Twins. The score sat at 3-3, and Keough ripped a line single into right field, sending Joe Foy home and sealing the win.

Things took a tough turn for Keough during a 1970 game against the Angels. He tried to score what he thought was a big run, but collided with catcher Tom Egan, breaking his leg and dislocating his ankle.

That injury pretty much ended his rise as the Royals’ leadoff hitter.

Keough played only six seasons in the majors, but his legacy stuck around Kansas City. Royals fans still remembered that bit of baseball glory, even 50 years later, long after Keough passed away in 2019 at age 73.