Steve Kealey – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Steve Kealey might not be a name you hear every day, but his short, notable career as a right-handed pitcher gives us a cool look at pro baseball in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Born Steven William Kealey on May 13, 1947, in Torrance, California, he managed to carve out a six-year run in Major League Baseball with the California Angels and Chicago White Sox before calling it quits in 1973.

Kealey’s most unforgettable moment happened in 1969, when he tossed a seven-hit shutout against the powerhouse Baltimore Orioles in his first major league start, beating a team that would end up with 109 wins that year. That game showed the world what Kealey could do. Even though he wanted to start games, he mostly found his groove as a reliable bullpen arm throughout his career.

He stood 6 feet tall and weighed 185 pounds. Kealey put together a solid 8-5 record over 139 games in the majors.

Kealey’s journey took him from a $1,000 signing bonus with the Angels all the way to his last appearance in 1973. His story really echoes what a lot of players went through, dedicating themselves to baseball during a time when the sport was changing fast.

Early Life and Background

Steven William Kealey came into the world on May 13, 1947, in Torrance, California. He grew up in a working-class family that wasn’t exactly obsessed with sports.

His athletic abilities started to show during his high school years in Southern California. There, he played alongside other future Major Leaguers.

Birthplace and Family

Steve was born in Torrance, California, on May 13, 1947. His parents, Gerald and Jane Kealey, did their best to provide a modest life for the family.

Gerald worked in diamond reclamation, focusing on recovering commercial diamonds from industrial equipment like drill bits. Jane brought in extra money as a seamstress at a local shop.

Sports didn’t take center stage in the Kealey household. Steve was the only one who really cared about athletics.

His brother and sister didn’t share his love for baseball at all. Still, the family did manage to get out to a Dodgers game once in a while.

Steve became a Dodgers fan after the team moved to LA in 1958. The family scraped together enough to attend maybe one or two games a year.

Key Family Details:

• Father: Gerald Kealey (diamond reclamation worker)
• Mother: Jane Kealey (seamstress)
• Siblings: One brother and one sister
• Family income: Working-class, “not anywhere near wealthy”

High School and Education

Steve attended Torrance High School in the mid-1960s. Southern California was a hotbed for baseball talent back then.

His high school team included future pros like Bart Johnson and Fred Kendall. Johnson became a pitcher, and Kendall a catcher, both making it to the majors.

Kealey was the first from Torrance High to reach the big leagues. After him, seven more players from the school followed in his footsteps.

Competition in the area was tough. Opposing teams featured future MLB stars like George Foster (Leuzinger High), Dave LaRoche (West Torrance High), and Ken Brett (El Segundo High).

Early Athletic Achievements

Kealey’s baseball journey didn’t start as early as some. He didn’t play Little League until he was 11, even though he wanted to play sooner.

His dad wasn’t sure he’d be able to keep up. “When I played, Little League started at eight, well, all my buddies were playing and I wanted to play, and he didn’t think I would be able to play so I never played until I was 11,” Kealey said.

Once he finally joined, his talent shone through. He and his dad played catch a lot, which really helped him hone his pitching skills.

Gerald’s mobility issues forced Steve to throw accurately—otherwise, he’d be chasing balls everywhere. That early training gave Kealey his signature pitch location and pinpoint control.

By 1966, at 19, Kealey caught the eye of two Major League teams. Both the California Angels and LA Dodgers offered him tryouts, setting the stage for his pro career.

Entry into Professional Baseball

Steve Kealey signed with the California Angels in 1966 at age 19. He picked their three-day tryout over his childhood favorite, the Dodgers.

He moved through the minors as a relief pitcher and made his MLB debut in 1968. Later, he joined the Chicago White Sox after a trade.

Minor League Development

Kealey’s pro career started with the Idaho Falls Angels in 1966. Even though he wanted to be a starter, he got sent to the bullpen right away.

His first year looked promising—he went 5-3 with a 2.49 ERA in 22 games. Adjusting to life on the road and living in hotels wasn’t easy, but he handled it.

By 1967, he moved up to Quad Cities in the Midwest League. He posted an 8-5 record and a 2.27 ERA in 55 relief appearances.

He kept getting batters out, and the Angels took notice.

In 1968, Kealey played for AA El Paso. He went 5-2 with a 2.41 ERA in 49 games and helped the team win the championship.

That strong year earned him a call-up to the California Angels in September.

MLB Debut with California Angels

Kealey made his MLB debut on September 9, 1968, facing the Detroit Tigers. He came in during the seventh inning with his team down 5-0.

Don Wert, his first batter, singled. Kealey then struck out Dick Tracewski for his first major league out.

He quickly realized how tough big league hitters could be. Pitcher Mickey Lolich doubled for a run, catching Kealey by surprise. “Back in the minors they don’t ever tell you to go after the pitchers,” Kealey remembered. “Well big leagues is a little different.”

He pitched two innings in his debut, giving up three hits and one run. He finished that season with six appearances and a 2.70 ERA over 10 innings.

The 1969 season brought a real highlight. After starting in Triple-A Hawaii, Kealey got called up mid-season. On August 21, he tossed a seven-hit shutout against the Orioles for his first big league win.

Transition to Chicago White Sox

The California Angels traded Kealey to the Chicago White Sox in 1971. There, he reunited with manager Chuck Tanner, who knew him from the minors.

“He knew what I could do and knew what to expect,” Kealey said about Tanner. That familiarity made the move easier, and Kealey became a regular in the bullpen from 1971 to 1973.

Kealey did well in Chicago. He stuck to his role as a reliable reliever, using his fastball, slider, and sometimes a curve.

His pinpoint control, sharpened from playing catch with his dad, served him well.

The White Sox put Kealey on the disabled list on April 1, 1973, and brought him back on June 17. His final MLB season wrapped up when Chicago traded him to the Cincinnati Reds on October 2, 1973, completing a deal for Jim McGlothlin.

MLB Career Overview

Steve Kealey pitched in the majors from 1968 to 1973. He appeared in 139 games across six seasons with the California Angels and Chicago White Sox.

He mostly worked out of the bullpen, though he did have a big moment as a spot starter with a memorable shutout.

Pitching Roles and Appearances

Kealey mainly pitched in relief during his MLB career. He debuted with the California Angels on September 9, 1968, coming in during the seventh inning against the Tigers.

Over six seasons, he appeared in 139 games and put together an 8-5 record with 126 strikeouts. He threw a fastball, slider, and the occasional curveball.

He liked starting games, but his ability to warm up quickly made him valuable as a reliever. Teams used him as a setup man and sometimes as a spot starter.

Kealey split his career between the California Angels (1968-1970) and the Chicago White Sox (1971-1973).

Significant Career Highlights

Kealey’s career highlight happened on August 21, 1969, when he threw a complete game shutout against the Orioles.

That Orioles team was the best in baseball that year, finishing with 109 wins. Kealey had a sore arm and hadn’t pitched in over a week before that start.

He gave up seven hits and struck out two, including Hall of Famers Frank Robinson and Brooks Robinson. That shutout was his first major league win.

Manager Lefty Phillips handed him the start out of necessity. “I just gave him the ball and told him to go out there and pitch because we had no one in the bull pen,” Phillips said.

Notable Team Contributions

With the Angels, Kealey became a reliable bullpen option. He posted a 2.70 ERA in his 1968 debut season across six games.

His best season came in 1969 with a 3.93 ERA in 15 games. That shutout against Baltimore really stood out.

After moving to the White Sox in 1971, Kealey kept up his relief work under Chuck Tanner. The two already knew each other from the Angels’ minor league system.

Kealey also held a quirky distinction with the White Sox. He was their last pitcher to hit a home run until Jon Garland did it in 2006.

His ability to pitch and occasionally hit added a little extra value to the team.

Career Achievements and Milestones

Steve Kealey’s short but memorable career included a few standout moments that really defined his time in baseball. The shutout against Baltimore was his biggest achievement, but he also hit a rare home run that had historical significance for the White Sox.

Complete Game Shutout

Kealey’s best day on the mound came on August 21, 1969, when he threw a complete game shutout against the Orioles. Not only were the Orioles the best team in baseball that year, but Kealey hadn’t pitched in over a week because of a sore arm.

He was also feeling the pressure at home, since his wife Karen was about to have their first child.

Even with those distractions, Kealey delivered. He allowed seven hits, walked two, and struck out two—including future Hall of Famers Frank Robinson and Brooks Robinson.

Manager Lefty Phillips gave him the start because the bullpen was wiped out. “I just gave him the ball and told him to go out there and pitch because we had no one in the bull pen,” Phillips said after the game.

That shutout was Kealey’s first major league victory. It came in just his third career start.

Rare Home Run as a Pitcher

Kealey pulled off something you don’t see every day—he hit a home run as a pitcher with the White Sox.

That homer made Kealey the last White Sox pitcher to hit one in a game, a record that stood until Jon Garland did it on June 18, 2006, against the Reds.

Pitchers rarely get to show off their hitting skills, so Kealey’s home run was a big deal. Back then, pitchers still took their at-bats in the American League.

His home run really showed what a different era it was. The designated hitter rule came to the AL in 1973, and after that, pitchers pretty much stopped batting altogether.

Triple Play Participation

On June 26, 1970, Kealey stepped onto the mound for the California Angels and played a key role in a triple play. He came in to relieve Rudy May during the fifth inning.

Things looked rough when Kealey took over. The other team had runners on base and nobody out.

Kealey wasted no time and got Amos Otis to ground into a triple play. That moment really showed how Kealey could handle pressure.

Triple plays almost never happen in baseball, so being part of one became a highlight of his career. Kealey proved his value as a relief pitcher who could get out of tough spots.

He had a knack for getting hitters to put the ball on the ground, which made that rare defensive play possible.

Final Season and Retirement in 1973

Steve Kealey’s last year in Major League Baseball was tough. He battled injuries and saw limited playing time with the Chicago White Sox.

In October 1973, Kealey’s career ended quietly when the White Sox traded him to the Cincinnati Reds as part of a previous deal. That trade basically marked his retirement from pro baseball.

Final Games with Chicago White Sox

The 1973 season started badly for Kealey. The White Sox put him on the disabled list on April 1.

That early injury kept him out during the important first months of the season. He didn’t return until June 17, 1973, when the White Sox finally activated him.

Being away for so long messed with his rhythm as a relief pitcher. Kealey’s final MLB appearance came in a tough 11-2 loss where the White Sox offense just couldn’t get going.

He pitched in the late innings of what turned out to be his last big league game. By then, his role with the team had shrunk a lot.

Injuries and a dip in effectiveness made him expendable as the season wore on.

Retirement Decision and Legacy

On October 2, 1973, just after the regular season ended, the White Sox traded Kealey to the Cincinnati Reds. That trade completed an earlier deal from August 29, 1973, when the Reds sent pitcher Jim McGlothlin to Chicago.

Kealey never played a game for the Reds. He retired from professional baseball soon after the trade.

He wrapped up his six-year career with 8 wins and 5 losses in 139 games for the California Angels and Chicago White Sox. Over that time, he struck out 126 batters.

Kealey’s career ran from 1968 to 1973. His most unforgettable moment was a complete-game shutout against the Baltimore Orioles in 1969.

Even though he wanted to be a starter, Kealey mostly found his place as a relief pitcher during his time in the majors.

Post-Baseball Life and Impact

After Steve Kealey hung up his cleats in 1973, he stepped away from the spotlight that had followed him during his six years in the majors. His life after baseball was quiet, but his influence on teammates and the game stuck with those who knew him.

Life After Retirement

Kealey left pro baseball for good after his final season with the White Sox. Unlike some former players who stay in the game as coaches or broadcasters, Kealey picked a different direction.

He moved back to California and settled into a quieter life, far from the attention he’d gotten as a pitcher for the Angels and White Sox. Details about his post-baseball career are mostly private.

He avoided the media, and that low-key approach matched the modest personality his teammates remembered. The switch from pro athlete to regular life brought the usual challenges.

Kealey had to get used to life without spring training, road trips, or the competition of the big leagues.

Influence on Teammates and the Game

Kealey’s impact on baseball wasn’t just about his 8-5 record. He built strong relationships with teammates and coaches.

He worked closely with manager Chuck Tanner on several teams, and that partnership lasted for years. “He knew what I could do and knew what to expect,” Kealey once said about Tanner.

Kealey’s defensive skills made him a valuable teammate. He could hold runners and field his position, which helped the team in ways that didn’t always show up in the box score.

His professionalism set a standard for younger players. The way he prepared and handled game situations left a mark on teammates who watched him work through six big league seasons.

Continuing Recognition

Steve Kealey always held a unique spot in Chicago White Sox history, even years after he retired. He was actually the last White Sox pitcher to hit a home run until Jon Garland finally did it in 2006.

That record kept people talking about Kealey for more than thirty years. It really showed how he could help the team both as a pitcher and as a hitter, which isn’t something you see every day.

Baseball researchers and historians still bring up Kealey’s career when they talk about relief pitching in the 1970s. His complete game shutout against the Baltimore Orioles in 1969 stands out, especially since the Orioles won an incredible 109 games that year.

You can find his story in all sorts of baseball publications and websites. These mentions keep Kealey’s contributions to the California Angels and Chicago White Sox alive in baseball’s history.