Mike Kekich – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Mike Kekich built a respectable career as a left-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball throughout the 1960s and 1970s. He pitched for several teams, including the Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Yankees, Cleveland Indians, Texas Rangers, and Seattle Mariners, before calling it quits in 1977.

Kekich stands out in baseball history not just for his pitching, but for a controversial personal choice that grabbed headlines across the sports world. His story includes both athletic accomplishments and life events that drew public attention in ways most players never experience.

Let’s take a look at Kekich’s life, from his early days as a young prospect to his years as a major league veteran. His journey brings together career highlights on the mound and personal decisions that shaped his legacy both on and off the field.

His story gives a glimpse into professional baseball during a time of change in American sports.

Early Life and Background

Michael Edward Kekich was born on April 2, 1945, in San Diego, California. He grew up in a middle-class family that encouraged his early love of baseball.

His path to pro baseball started in San Diego’s high school scene. There, he honed the pitching skills that would eventually get him noticed by major league scouts.

Family and Childhood

Mike Kekich spent his childhood in San Diego during the 1950s and early 1960s. His family cheered him on from the beginning.

Baseball quickly became his main focus as a kid. The warm California weather meant he could play year-round, which really gave him a leg up on players from colder places.

He spent endless hours practicing his pitching in local parks and sandlots. His parents saw his potential early and backed his dreams of making it as a pro.

They made sacrifices so he could have the right equipment and travel to games. San Diego’s strong youth baseball programs shaped his development.

Local coaches taught him the fundamentals of pitching. Those early lessons stuck with him and laid the groundwork for his later success.

High School and Amateur Baseball

Kekich attended high school in San Diego, where he stood out as a pitcher. Scouts from multiple organizations took notice of his fastball and control.

College recruiters also paid attention to his abilities. During his high school career, he dominated the local competition.

His strikeout numbers surprised people for someone his age. Opposing hitters really struggled against his mix of speed and accuracy.

Professional scouts started following him around his junior year. They liked his left-handed delivery and his competitive edge.

His size and arm strength made people think he could handle pro ball. By his senior year, Kekich faced a big choice.

He could take a college baseball scholarship or sign with a pro team. That decision would set the course for the next chapter of his baseball life.

Professional Baseball Career Highlights

Mike Kekich pitched eight seasons in Major League Baseball as a lefty, suiting up for several teams between 1965 and 1977. He found his best stretch with the New York Yankees in the early 1970s and racked up over 600 career strikeouts.

Major League Baseball Debut

Kekich made his MLB debut with the Los Angeles Dodgers on September 17, 1965, at just 21 years old. He appeared in only two games during his rookie season.

He had trouble finding his footing in the majors at first. Most of 1966 and 1967, he spent in the minors working on his game.

His first real shot came in 1968 when he rejoined the Dodgers’ rotation. Kekich pitched in 31 games that season, starting 18 of them.

Key Statistics and Performance

Kekich wrapped up his career with a 39-51 win-loss record and a 4.59 ERA over 169 games. He struck out 639 batters in 788.2 innings.

His best year was 1972 with the New York Yankees. He went 10-13 with a 3.70 ERA and struck out 121 batters in 174.1 innings.

Kekich averaged 1,217 career strikeouts per nine innings. He walked 438 batters during his time in MLB.

Career Statistics:

• Games: 169
• Wins: 39
• Losses: 51
• ERA: 4.59
• Strikeouts: 639
• Innings Pitched: 788.2

Significant Teams Played For

Kekich played for four different teams during his MLB run. He spent the most time with the New York Yankees from 1969 to 1973.

The Yankees got him in a trade with the Dodgers in December 1968. That move gave Kekich his best shot at becoming a regular starter.

He also pitched for the Cleveland Indians in 1973 and 1974. His last MLB season came with the Texas Rangers in 1977.

The Philadelphia Phillies picked up Kekich briefly in 1976. He only made six appearances for them before they released him.

1977 Retirement and Later Career Moves

Mike Kekich’s exit from professional baseball marked the end of a decade-long career that saw both promise and controversy. After retiring, he stayed close to the sport through various baseball-related activities and coaching gigs.

Events Leading up to Retirement

Kekich’s last years in the majors saw his performance decline and his opportunities dwindle. The infamous wife-swapping scandal with teammate Fritz Peterson in 1973 really changed his career path.

He bounced between teams in his later years, pitching for the Cleveland Indians and Texas Rangers after leaving the Yankees. His performance on the mound took a hit during this period.

Kekich couldn’t keep up the consistency that once made him a top prospect for the Yankees. By 1977, teams weren’t interested in signing him anymore.

His reputation and fading skills made him a tough sell for major league clubs. The decision to retire felt natural as the opportunities dried up.

Kekich realized it was time to move on at age 33.

Post-Retirement Baseball Activities

After putting away his glove, Kekich stayed involved in baseball by coaching and instructing. He worked with young pitchers, passing on what he knew about the game’s fundamentals.

Kekich took part in different baseball camps and clinics. These gigs let him stay close to the sport and earn some income from his experience.

He also worked as a pitching instructor at various levels. His major league background gave up-and-coming players valuable insight.

Kekich sometimes showed up at baseball memorabilia events. Fans got to meet him and hear stories from his playing days.

He kept in touch with former teammates and colleagues. Even with the controversy that followed him, he managed to hold on to his baseball connections.

Personal Life and Notable Events

Mike Kekich became famous—or maybe infamous—for a wife-swapping arrangement with teammate Fritz Peterson in 1973. That story dominated sports headlines and shaped how people saw both players for years.

Famous Yankees Trade Story

In March 1973, Mike Kekich and Fritz Peterson stunned the baseball world with their personal decision. The two Yankees pitchers swapped wives, children, and even the family dogs.

Kekich moved in with Peterson’s wife Susanne and their kids. Peterson took over Kekich’s family life with his wife Marilyn and their children.

The swap included everything from daily routines to financial responsibilities. They’d been living this way for months before the story broke.

Both players said they discussed it openly and agreed to the arrangement. But things got messy when Peterson’s relationship with Marilyn Kekich lasted, while Kekich’s with Susanne Peterson fizzled out fast.

The Yankees organization was embarrassed. Team officials scrambled to deal with the media and public reaction.

This story became one of the most talked-about scandals in baseball history.

Media Coverage and Public Perception

Sports reporters covered the story everywhere, from newspapers to magazines. It made front pages, not just in the sports section.

Some outlets treated it as a sports story, others as social commentary. Most of the public didn’t like what they heard.

Fans booed Kekich and Peterson at games during the 1973 season. People saw their actions as immoral and not what they expected from pro athletes.

The scandal damaged both players’ reputations for good. Kekich found it hard to escape the controversy even after he retired.

The incident overshadowed his actual baseball achievements and stats. Baseball historians still bring up the Peterson-Kekich swap when talking about the sport’s strangest moments.

The story keeps popping up in books and articles about baseball’s oddest chapters.

Legacy and Impact on Baseball

Mike Kekich left his mark on baseball with his pitching and his role in one of the sport’s wildest off-field stories. His career and the recognition he got reflect both his athletic skills and his spot in baseball history.

Contributions to the Game

Kekich brought solid left-handed pitching to the majors during his nine-year run. He threw with good velocity and had breaking balls that helped him compete at the top level.

His best season came in 1969 with the Yankees. Kekich posted a 2.56 ERA over 157 innings.

That performance showed he could be an effective starter in the majors. He also filled in as a reliable reliever when teams needed him.

He could pitch multiple innings and handle different situations. That flexibility made him valuable to several teams.

His involvement in the famous wife-swapping incident with Fritz Peterson in 1973 became one of baseball’s most talked-about stories. Even though it was controversial, it’s now part of Yankees lore and baseball history.

Recognition and Honors

Kekich never landed major individual awards like All-Star selections or Cy Young votes. His stats were solid but not quite enough for that kind of recognition.

The Yankees didn’t retire his number, but his story is part of team history. The Peterson-Kekich incident remains one of the strangest chapters in franchise history.

Baseball historians and writers still mention Kekich when covering 1970s baseball. His name pops up in books and articles about Yankees history and unusual baseball stories.

Former teammates remember him as a skilled pitcher who could help teams win games. Players and coaches respected his pitching ability during his career.

Net Worth and Life After Baseball

Mike Kekich’s financial situation after retiring in 1977 was modest compared to what players make today. Salaries in 1970s baseball were just nowhere near modern levels.

He moved into different business ventures and coaching jobs after his playing days.

Estimated Earnings

Kekich’s baseball earnings reflected the pay structure of his time. Most players in the 1970s made between $15,000 and $50,000 a season.

His nine-year career stretched from 1965 to 1977. He played for the Dodgers, Yankees, Indians, Rangers, and Mariners.

His best years, money-wise, came with the Yankees in the early 1970s. During that stretch, he probably earned his highest annual salaries, somewhere around $30,000 to $40,000.

All told, his career earnings likely reached about $200,000 to $300,000. In today’s dollars, that’d be roughly $1 million to $1.5 million after adjusting for inflation.

Activities Outside of Baseball

After he retired, Kekich tried out several business ventures and kept his baseball ties alive through coaching. He took on work as a pitching instructor at different baseball camps and clinics.

Kekich looked into real estate and a few other business ideas too. Back then, a lot of players from his era needed a second career because baseball salaries just didn’t stretch far enough for a lifetime.

Sometimes, he joined old-timers’ games or showed up at memorabilia events. These gigs brought in some extra money and let him hang around the game and its fans.