Jeff Keener

Jeffrey Bruce Keener

• Bats Left, Throws Right
• Height 6' 0", Weight 170 lb.
• School Southeastern Illinois College, University of Kentucky, Southern Illinois University at Carbondale
• High School Edwards County Senior High School
• Debut June 8, 1982
• Final Game September 27, 1983
• Born January 14, 1959 in Pana, IL USA

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Biographical Information

Pitcher Jeff Keener was named MVP of the 1981 Southeastern Conference Tournament, then was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 7th round of the 1981 amateur draft. He made his major league debut one year to the day later.

Keener spent his entire career with the Cardinals. Strictly a relief pitcher, he used a submarine delivery to get batters out. He had success as a rookie in 1982, when he went 1-1 with a 1.61 ERA in 19 games, but did not pitch in the postseason as the Cardinals won the 1982 World Series. He returned for 4 games in 1983 but was hit hard, with an ERA on 8.31 in 4 1/3 innings. Control was an issue for him, as he issued 20 walks in 26 2/3 innings in the majors.

After his baseball career ended, pitcher Keener earned a graduate degree in education from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale and became a physical education teacher and baseball coach. He was Assistant Principal at Murphysboro High School for a few years before becoming Principal of that town's middle school.