Jack McKeon has spent over 50 years in professional baseball. That career includes 10 seasons as a catcher in the minor leagues, 17 years as a minor league manager, stints as a manager of five Major League clubs, and front office positions with three Major League teams. His experience includes over 1,000 wins as a manager in both the minor leagues and Major Leagues. He has led one Major League team to a World Series appearance from the front office and another to a World Series title as a manager.

McKeon received his first taste of managing in the Majors with Kansas City (1972-75) and later Oakland (1977-78). In 1980, he began a 10-year relationship with the San Diego Padres where he earned the nickname “Trader Jack” for his penchant for multi-player deals. As the Vice President of Baseball Operations, McKeon assembled a club that experienced great success including an appearance in the 1984 World Series against Detroit. He later added the title of manager for the Padres from 1988-90.

In 1993, McKeon joined the Cincinnati Reds organization as the senior advisor for player personnel. Following four seasons in the front office, he took over the managerial role for the Reds in 1997. McKeon held that spot through 2000, earning National League Manager of the Year accolades for a 96-67 season in 1999.

McKeon was called back to baseball in 2003 when he was hired by the Florida Marlins after the season had already begun. When hired he was the third-oldest manager in Major League history at 72. By the end of the season, McKeon once again earned National League Manager of the Year recognition when he became the oldest manager to win the World Series. McKeon, the 2003 “Sportsman of the Year” by The Sporting News, went on to pace the Marlins to two more winning campaigns in 2004 and 2005. He is currently a special advisor to the Marlins.

A graduate of Elon University, McKeon resides in Elon, NC.

Inspirational, Sports Motivation, Leadership