1981 Topps Matt Keough

 

The front: Keough delivers a pitch at Yankee Stadium. This would be June 22, 1980, when Keough pitched a complete game victory over the Yankees, one of Keough's 20 complete games that year. 

The back: Dad Marty played for six teams, mostly the Red Sox and Reds, from 1956 to 1966. Uncle Joe played for three teams, mostly the Royals, from 1968 to 1973. 

The player: Keough had a rough 1979 (2-17, 5.04 ERA). In 1980 Billy Martin came to the A's and Keough was one of several pitchers who saw immediate, if brief, improvements, going 16-13 with a 2.92 ERA. By 1982, the heavy workload Martin had instituted had worn down Keough and his teammates, and he led the AL in losses. The following season he was traded to the Yankees, and had stints with the Cardinals, Cubs and Astros in 1985 and 1986. After four seasons in Japan he attempted a comeback with the Angels, but retired after being hit in the head by a foul ball while sitting in the dugout in spring training.

The man: Keough was a scout and executive during the 1990s and early 2000s. Multiple DUI convictions led him to be sentenced to a year in jail in 2010. He was also famous for appearances on Real Housewives of Orange County. He died in 2020.

My collection: I have 17 of his cards, from 1978 to 1984. I would be interested in trading for 1982 Fleer Stamps #129.