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

Richard Martin “Marty” Keough built a solid 11-year career in Major League Baseball, suiting up for seven different teams from 1956 to 1966 before hanging up his cleats at age 32. Born in Oakland, the outfielder started his pro journey with the Boston Red Sox, signing a $100,000 bonus contract straight out of high school. That deal made him one of the hottest prospects on the West Coast at the time.

Keough moved around the American League, playing for the Boston Red Sox, Cleveland Indians, Washington Senators, Cincinnati Reds, Atlanta Braves, and Chicago Cubs before his last game on September 16, 1966. Managers valued his versatility as an outfielder and his reliable defensive play, which kept him in the majors for over a decade. Still, he often struggled to find steady playing time on teams stacked with talent.

Marty Keough’s story goes beyond stats. His journey includes a strong athletic family legacy, a stint in Japanese professional baseball, and a role in mentoring younger players. From high school football standout to MLB veteran, Keough’s life shines a light on the ups and downs of pro baseball during the 1950s and 1960s.

Early Life and Education

Richard Martin Keough was born on April 14, 1934, in Oakland, California, while his dad attended UC Berkeley. Athletics ran in the family, and both parents were standout athletes. They both earned spots in the Chaffey College Athletic Hall of Fame in 1995.

Family Background

Marty Keough came from a truly athletic family that spanned four generations. His dad, Cecil D. “Zeke” Keough, pitched right-handed at UC Berkeley and got noticed for beating USC several times in one season.

The Los Angeles Angels of the Pacific Coast League tried to sign Zeke, but he turned them down. He didn’t want to be sent to the minors and instead took a job with the Water Department in Pomona. That job let him catch almost all his sons’ games.

Marty’s mom, Eleanor, was no slouch either. She played softball in Glendora, California, with players like Bertha Ragan Tickey, who later entered the National Softball Hall of Fame in 1972. Eleanor also balanced homemaking with work in local orange-packing plants.

The Keoughs produced more than one pro ballplayer. Marty’s older brother Tom played briefly in the Red Sox system, getting into eight games for the San Jose Red Sox in 1954. His younger brother Joe Keough, who was 11 years younger, became a second-round draft pick of the Kansas City Athletics in 1965 and played six seasons in the majors.

High School Achievements

At Pomona High School, Marty Keough starred in three sports and made plenty of headlines. As a junior, he earned first-team honors in football, basketball, and baseball.

Keough played quarterback and left halfback for the Red Devils football team. The Los Angeles Times wrote about him in September 1950 after he kicked three conversions and broke off a 40-yard touchdown run in a 27-0 win over Bonita. At 5-foot-10 and 165 pounds, sportswriter Braven Dyer called him a “ball of fire.”

In his senior football season in 1951, Keough led Pomona to its first perfect record. He rushed for 2,789 yards and averaged 44½ yards per punt, topping every college kicker in the country. In the CIF semifinals, he ran for three touchdowns to help Pomona beat Santa Monica 27-6.

He shined on the baseball diamond too. Keough hit .525 his senior year and finished with a 6-1 pitching record. On “Marty Keough Day,” his last home game, he tossed a two-hitter and went 5-for-6 with a home run, triple, and three singles. Scouts rated him the top schoolboy prospect on the West Coast.

CIF Southern Section Honors

Keough’s biggest high school moment came in December 1951 when he led Pomona to the Southern California prep football title. The Red Devils beat Monrovia 26-13 in front of a packed house of 17,500 fans.

His stellar senior season earned him CIF Southern Section Football Player of the Year. The Los Angeles Times gave him a huge three-column headline: “MARTY KEOUGH LEADS POMONA TO SOUTHLAND PREP GRID CROWN” after the championship.

On Christmas Day 1951, the Times reported that “Marvelous Marty” had been named Player of the Year. His combination of rushing yards, punting average, and leadership during the undefeated season made him an easy pick.

Keough’s recognition didn’t stop with football. He made the All-Southern California baseball team as a first baseman after throwing a three-hitter and blasting a “tremendous 400-foot homer” in Pomona’s 15-2 Citrus Belt title win over San Bernardino.

Professional Baseball Career Overview

Marty Keough played 11 MLB seasons from 1956 to 1966, finishing with a .242 batting average, 43 home runs, and 176 RBIs in 841 games. He suited up for six different teams, usually as an outfielder in a variety of roles.

MLB Debut and Early Years

Keough debuted in the majors with the Boston Red Sox in 1956 at age 22. He first appeared on April 21, 1956, at Yankee Stadium as a pinch-hitter.

He drove in his first RBI that same day against the Yankees. But Boston’s outfield was stacked with Ted Williams, Jimmy Piersall, and Jackie Jensen, so Keough didn’t get much playing time early on.

He struggled to break through at first. In his first 19 at-bats over 1956 and 1957, he got just one hit. He finally recorded his first big-league hit, a single off Yankees pitcher Bob Turley, on September 27, 1957.

The Red Sox often sent him to the minors during those early years. He spent a lot of time with the San Francisco Seals in the Pacific Coast League, working to sharpen his game.

Teams Played For

Keough bounced around the majors, playing for six different teams:

• Boston Red Sox (1956-1960): His longest stay with any club
• Cleveland Indians (1960): Short stint mid-season
• Washington Senators (1961): One season
• Cincinnati Reds (1962-1965): Four years, easily his most productive stretch
• Atlanta Braves (1966): Part of his last year
• Chicago Cubs (1966): Where he wrapped up his career

He played his final game on September 16, 1966, against the St. Louis Cardinals. He had one at-bat in that game but didn’t get a hit.

The Cincinnati Reds gave him the most stability. He spent four straight seasons there from 1962 to 1965.

Position and Playing Style

Keough mainly played outfield throughout his career. He could handle all three spots—center field, right, and left.

He also filled in at first base sometimes and often came off the bench as a pinch-hitter or pinch-runner.

Managers liked his speed. Minor league skippers even voted him the fastest runner in the American Association during his time there.

Keough’s hitting style changed a lot over the years. Early on, coaches helped him ditch a clumsy crouch for a smoother swing. He batted and threw left-handed, stood 6 feet tall, and weighed about 180 pounds during his playing days.

Key Seasons and Player Statistics

Marty Keough’s 11 years in the majors included a few standout seasons that really defined his role as a steady outfielder. His best numbers came in 1961 with Washington, but his career totals show he contributed consistently for several clubs.

Most Productive MLB Season

Keough peaked in 1961 with the Washington Senators. He played in 135 games and set career highs in several categories.

That year, he hit .249 with 97 hits in 390 at-bats. Keough drove in 34 runs and crossed the plate 57 times, both among his best single-season marks.

He showed off his speed and flexibility in 1961. He swiped 12 bases, his personal best for a season, and hit 9 doubles, 9 triples, and 9 homers.

Keough posted a .307 on-base percentage and a .410 slugging mark, good for a .717 OPS. For the early 1960s, that was pretty solid production.

Career Batting Highlights

Over 841 career games from 1956 to 1966, Keough hit .242. He collected 434 hits in 1,796 at-bats.

He finished with 43 home runs and 176 RBIs in 11 seasons. He also scored 256 runs and stole 26 bases.

Key offensive stats:

• 71 doubles
• 23 triples
• .309 career on-base percentage
• .379 slugging percentage

His best years came with Cincinnati (1962-1965), where he hit .248 and belted 22 homers in four seasons. He really grew into a regular during his time with the Red Sox from 1956 to 1960.

Defensive Performance

Keough mostly played outfield but could move around the diamond when needed. He saw time in right, center, and left, and even at first base.

His defensive numbers show he was steady and dependable, not flashy. What made him valuable was his ability to fit into different roles whenever the team needed him.

That flexibility gave managers options, whether as a starter or coming off the bench.

He found his longest home with the Cincinnati Reds, playing in 377 games over four years. That stretch let him settle in as a regular contributor.

Transition to Nippon Professional Baseball

After wrapping up his MLB days in 1966, Marty Keough decided to keep playing and headed to Japan. He joined the Nankai Hawks in 1968, joining a small group of Americans who played in Nippon Professional Baseball back then.

Move to Nankai Hawks

Keough signed with the Nankai Hawks in 1968, two years after his last MLB game with the Cubs. At 34, he made a big move, both professionally and personally.

The Nankai Hawks played in Osaka and were part of Japan’s Pacific League. In the late 1960s, Japanese baseball started attracting more Americans hoping to extend their careers.

Keough brought his lefty bat and glove to Japan, and his experience with six MLB teams gave the Hawks some veteran leadership.

Adjusting to Japanese baseball took some effort. The game had different rules and a unique style compared to what he knew in the States.

Impact in Japanese Baseball

Keough’s time with the Nankai Hawks added an international chapter to his baseball story. He became part of a growing group of Americans playing pro ball in Japan.

The experience meant a lot to his family’s baseball legacy. His son Matt Keough later played pro baseball in Japan too, making them one of the rare American father-son pairs to do so.

Keough’s stint with the Hawks showed the global pull of baseball in the 1960s. More Americans started seeing Japanese baseball as a real option for keeping their careers alive.

He helped build cultural bridges between American and Japanese baseball. His time there proved the game could cross borders and open new doors for players.

Personal Life and Baseball Legacy

Marty Keough’s influence on baseball went far beyond his 11 seasons as a player. He built a multi-generational baseball family, and his personal life stayed closely tied to the sport. That legacy shaped future players and built lasting connections throughout the baseball world.

Family Baseball Connections

Baseball really runs in the Keough family’s veins. Joe Keough, who was 11 years younger than Marty, followed his big brother into the major leagues. Joe played six seasons from 1968 to 1973, mostly with the Kansas City Royals. He handled outfield and first base duties.

Their father, Cecil D. “Zeke” Keough, pitched for the University of California at Berkeley. Their mom, Eleanor, played competitive softball in California back when women’s teams were tough and talented.

Both Zeke and Eleanor earned recognition for their athletic skills. In 1995, the very first year for the honor, they both entered the Chaffey College Athletic Hall of Fame.

Growing up, the Keoughs had a supportive home. Zeke worked at the Water Department, which meant he could make it to almost all of his sons’ games. That kind of support definitely shaped both Marty and Joe’s baseball paths.

Influence on Future Generations

Marty’s biggest mark on the game probably came through his son, Matt Keough. Matt pitched in the majors, and later worked as a coach and in front office roles.

Having a dad who spent 11 seasons in the majors gave Matt an inside look at pro baseball. That family background helped him understand the game’s demands and the doors it could open.

The Keoughs stand out as a rare multi-generational baseball family. From Zeke’s college pitching days, to Marty’s pro career, then Joe’s time in the majors, and finally Matt’s own run in the sport.

This family tree shows how baseball passion and know-how can move from one generation to the next. The Keoughs prove that family support and a real feel for the game can leave a mark on professional sports.

Post-Retirement Activities

After Marty retired in 1966, he mostly stepped away from the spotlight. There’s not a lot of public info about what he did after baseball.

He seems to have focused on family life and backing his son Matt’s baseball journey. The experience he picked up over 11 seasons with seven teams probably helped guide Matt along the way.

The Keoughs stayed involved in baseball through Matt’s career, which hints that Marty kept close to the game. Playing for teams like the Boston Red Sox and Cincinnati Reds gave him a solid sense of the ups and downs of pro ball.

Notable Teammates, Honors, and Recognition

Marty Keough’s baseball career brought him alongside some of the game’s greats and earned him plenty of recognition. Back in high school in California, he already stood out as one of the top multi-sport athletes before his pro days.

Playing with Red Sox Legends

When Marty played for the Boston Red Sox, he shared the outfield with some of baseball’s biggest names. He played next to Ted Williams, the legendary hitter, who was wrapping up his career when Marty joined in 1956.

The Red Sox outfield was stacked during those years. Jim Piersall played center, and Jackie Jensen held down right field. With those stars around, it wasn’t easy for Marty to get regular playing time.

Piersall still noticed Marty’s ability. “He can play in the American League right now,” Piersall told the Christian Science Monitor. “But I was here first. When he gets a little more experience, he’ll be great.”

Having these Hall of Fame–level players around pushed Marty to get better. He picked up lessons from Williams’ approach at the plate and learned from Piersall’s defense while developing in Boston.

Southern California Athletic Distinctions

Marty started earning athletic honors long before pro baseball came calling. In 1951, he won the CIF Southern Section football player of the year award after leading Pomona High School to its only football championship.

For a multi-sport athlete, his football stats were impressive. He averaged 44.5 yards per punt, which beat every college kicker in the country that year. He racked up 2,789 yards as a senior.

Baseball awards followed his football success. Marty shared the Southern Section’s baseball co-player of the year award with Bill Richardson from Citrus High School. He hit .525 in his senior baseball season.

Both his parents later joined the Chaffey College Athletic Hall of Fame in 1995. The Keough athletic tradition carried on through the generations, with brother Joe and son Matt also making it to pro baseball.

Baseball Community Endorsements

Professional scouts and managers kept praising Keough’s abilities throughout his career. Red Sox area scout Tom Downey spotted his potential and pushed the organization to sign him.

Louisville Colonels manager Pinky Higgins called Keough the “biggest surprise” of spring training camp in 1954. Higgins once said, “He really came fast last year. He’s a real fine prospect,” and you could tell he meant it.

Major league teams really battled for Keough’s signature. San Francisco sportswriter Jack McDonald put it this way: “the competition among major clubs to get him is said to have been the greatest in the history of baseball in California.” That’s quite a claim, isn’t it?

During his minor league career, American Association managers voted him the fastest runner in the league. People also described him as the best center fielder in Louisville Colonels history, and he earned All-Star selections in back-to-back seasons.