Jack McKeon always has been ahead of his time.
How much so? Let’s say about 55 years.
It was the Cheatin’ Astros who brought all that negative attention with their electronic sign-stealing, trash-can banging wicked ways in 2017 as they won a most tainted World Series title.
It was Trader Jack who was far ahead of the Astros electronic curve, way back in 1962.
Wait until you hear the details on this electronic engineering from the man himself. McKeon will turn 90 in nine weeks and remains as sharp as the first time he managed a professional team in 1955 at the age of 24, the Fayetteville Highlanders in the Carolina League.
The former catcher, manager and GM is a senior advisor to GM Mike Rizzo of the Washington Nationals. He now has that 2019 World Series ring to go along with 2003 Marlins World Championship ring, won at the age of 72 when he managed that team to its second and last championship, beating the Yankees in six games with his aggressive use of young pitcher Josh Beckett.
Trader Jack, who also managed in Kansas City, Oakland, San Diego and Cincinnati, has spent a lifetime looking for an edge on the diamond. That brings us back to his amazing story from 1962 when he managed the Vancouver Mounties, the Minnesota Twins AAA team in the Pacific Coast League.
Like all of McKeon’s classics, there is humor, a little bit of acting and a lot of doing things his way come hell or high water, mixed in with hard lessons learned in the game.
This is part Bull Durham, part James Bond and all Trader Jack.
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3 comments:
The Mets could use Trader Jack, that's no lie.
O.K. guys a question: Stroman 51-47 3.76 1.2 whip Bauer 74-64 3.92 and a 1.2 whip both are 29 so for alot less it seems Stroman is the better deal so what do you think?
Not sure Stroman wants to stay but I would make him a qualifying offer and see what happens. If he leaves, at least the Mets get a draft pick. He could end up accepting it as he may not get the deal he wants do to his opt out. We will see what happens.
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