Matthew Lon Keough (July 3, 1955 – May 1, 2020) was an American professional baseball player. Born in Pomona, California, Keough reached the big leagues as a right-handed pitcher and made his debut in Major League Baseball in the late 1970s. He spent most of his major-league career alternating between starting and relief roles and is particularly associated with his early years with the Oakland Athletics.
Major league career
Keough's major-league tenure ran from 1977 through 1986. During that period he appeared for several teams as his role evolved with changing staff needs. Besides the Oakland Athletics, he also pitched for the New York Yankees, St. Louis Cardinals, Chicago Cubs and Houston Astros. Teammates and observers described him as a pitcher who could be used in multiple situations, contributing both as a starter and out of the bullpen.
Career in Japan
After his major-league opportunities diminished, Keough extended his professional career in Japanese baseball. From 1987 to 1990 he played for the Hanshin Tigers, joining a number of American players who moved to Nippon Professional Baseball to continue competing at a high level and to bring experience to foreign leagues.
Playing profile and legacy
Keough was known as a durable and competitive right-hander who adapted to changing roles throughout his career. While he did not become a perennial All-Star, he provided several seasons of valuable innings in both the major leagues and in Japan. His perseverance through transitions between teams and across oceans is remembered by fans of the clubs he represented.
Keough's playing career is often cited in retrospectives of the late-1970s Oakland Athletics and in discussions of American pitchers who prolonged their professional lives in Japan. He died on May 1, 2020, at the age of 64; his career remains part of the history connecting North American and Japanese professional baseball.