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

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. 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. Peterson later married Kekich's former wife, Susanne, while Kekich soon broke up with Peterson's former wife. Shortly after, Kekich was traded to the Cleveland Indians.

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.

Kekich is remarried and currently resides near Albuquerque, New Mexico.

References

  • Mike Kekich at Baseball Almanac