Cactus Keck

Frank Joseph Keck

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 5' 11", Weight 170 lb.

• Debut May 26, 1922
• Final Game October 7, 1923
• Born January 13, 1899 in St. Louis, MO USA
• Died February 6, 1981 in Kirkwood, MO USA

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Biographical Information

Frank "Cactus" Keck was born in Missouri but ended up with the nickname "Cactus", apparently a moniker hung on him because of his days pitching in Texas. The New York Times called him Cactus Keck when he was a raw rookie in June 1922 but later in September called him Frank. He was said to be a sidearm or submarine pitcher.

Keck was better than average with the 1922 Reds, posting an ERA of 3.37 but in 1923 his ERA went up to 3.72 while the team ERA dropped. Other pitchers on the staff included Eppa Rixey and Dolf Luque.

Later, Keck went 17-11 for Texarkana in 1926 and 22-9 for Monroe in 1927.

Following his baseball career, Keck was an assistant fire chief in Kirkwood, Missouri.