Mike Kekich
| Mike Kekich | |
|---|---|
 Kekich in 1978 | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born: April 2, 1945 San Diego, California, U.S. | |
Batted: Right Threw: Left | |
| Professional debut | |
| MLB: June 9, 1965, for the Los Angeles Dodgers | |
| NPB: July 7, 1974, for the Nippon-Ham Fighters | |
| Last appearance | |
| NPB: September 28, 1974, for the Nippon-Ham Fighters | |
| MLB: October 1, 1977, for the Seattle Mariners | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Win–loss record | 39–51 |
| Earned run average | 4.59 |
| Strikeouts | 497 |
| NPB statistics | |
| Win–loss record | 5–11 |
| Earned run average | 4.12 |
| Strikeouts | 90 |
| Stats at Baseball Reference | |
| Teams | |
Michael Dennis Kekich (born April 2, 1945) is an American former professional baseball pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Yankees, Cleveland Indians, Texas Rangers and Seattle Mariners in parts of nine seasons spanning 1965–1977. In 1974, he played in Japan for the Nippon-Ham Fighters.
Career
[edit]Kekich was a left-handed pitcher who began his career as a starter during his time with the Dodgers and Yankees, but later moved to the bullpen as a reliever.[1] He had a modestly successful career in the major leagues, but he is best remembered for trading families with fellow Yankees pitcher Fritz Peterson before the 1973 season.[2] Peterson later married Kekich's former wife, Susanne, while Kekich soon broke up with Peterson's former wife.[3] Shortly after, Kekich was traded to the Cleveland Indians.[4]
Kekich signed with the Texas Rangers in 1974, pitching with them in the majors in 1975, then with the Seattle Mariners in April 1977, pitching in the expansion team's inaugural season to end his major league career.[1]
After his big league career ended, Kekich attempted a comeback in the Mexican League, pitching there in 1979 and 1980, but did not return to affiliated baseball.[5]
Kekich is remarried and currently resides near Albuquerque, New Mexico.[6]
References
[edit]- 1 2 "Mike Kekich Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Rookie Status & More". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved August 24, 2024.
- ↑ Blackman, Ted (March 7, 1973). "Flash: Fritz Peterson, Mike Kekich trade wives". The Gazette. Montreal. p. 13. Retrieved July 18, 2015.
- ↑ Moran, Sheila (July 31, 1977). "Kekich Swaps Troubles For Peace, Happiness". Pittsburgh Press. p. D-2. Retrieved July 18, 2015.
- ↑ Schoenfield, David (March 5, 2015). "Throwback Thursday: Yankees' Wife Swap". ESPN.com. Retrieved April 8, 2026.
- ↑ "Mike Kekich Winter, Minor, Japanese & Mexican Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved April 8, 2026.
- ↑ Praetorius, Dean (February 25, 2011). "Mike Kekich And Fritz Peterson: The Story Behind "The Trade"". Huffington Post.
External links
[edit]- Career statistics from MLB · Baseball Reference · Fangraphs · Baseball Reference (Minors) · Retrosheet · Baseball Almanac
- Mike Kekich at Baseball Almanac
- 1945 births
- Living people
- Albuquerque Dodgers players
- American expatriate baseball players in Japan
- American expatriate baseball players in Mexico
- American people of Serbian descent
- Arizona Instructional League Dodgers players
- Baseball players from San Diego
- Cleveland Indians players
- Gold Coast Suns (baseball) players
- Indios de Ciudad Juárez (minor league) players
- Leones del Caracas players
- American expatriate baseball players in Venezuela
- Los Angeles Dodgers players
- Major League Baseball pitchers
- Mexican Baseball League pitchers
- Minor league baseball managers
- New York Yankees players
- Nippon Ham Fighters players
- Nippon Professional Baseball pitchers
- San Jose Missions players
- Santa Barbara Dodgers players
- Santo Domingo Azucareros players
- Seattle Mariners players
- Spokane Indians players
- St. Petersburg Saints players
- Tecolotes de Nuevo Laredo players
- Texas Rangers players
- Tiburones de La Guaira players
- Tigres de Aragua players
- 20th-century American sportsmen
