Matt Keough, a right-handed pitcher who played in parts of nine MLB seasons from 1977-86, died Saturday night, the Oakland Athletics announced. The cause of death was not listed. He was 64.
Keough played for the A’s from 1977-83 and worked in the team’s front office as a special assistant. A’s vice president of baseball operations Billy Beane said in a statement: “Matt was a great baseball man and a proud Oakland A. He had an incredible passion for the game and we were lucky to have him and his wealth of knowledge alongside us for the years he worked as a special assistant. He left an unforgettable impression on everyone he touched in baseball. Our sincere condolences are with the entire Keough family tonight.”
The MLB Players Association said in a statement, “The community of Players is saddened by the loss of Matt Keough, who carried on his family’s proud baseball legacy through more than four decades as a player, coach and executive. The MLBPA extends its sympathies to Matt’s family, the Oakland A’s organization and his many friends and fans throughout the game.”
Keough made the All-Star Game as a rookie in 1978, when he posted a 3.24 ERA in 197 1/3 innings. He remained in Oakland’s rotation until being traded to the Yankees in June 1983. Keough played for the Cardinals, Cubs, and Astros in his career, and also played three seasons in Japan. Keough belongs to a baseball family. Matt’s father, Marty, played 11 big-league seasons from 1956-66 and his uncle Joe played six years in the show from 1968-73. Both were outfielders. Shane Keough, Matt’s son, played minor-league ball with the A’s from 2007-10. He was also an outfielder.
Editorial credit: Eric Broder Van Dyke / Shutterstock.com