Kid Keenan

John M. Keenan
(Jack)

• Bats Unknown, Throws Right
• Height 5' 7", Weight 140 lb.

• Debut August 11, 1891
• Final Game August 11, 1891
• Born January 1, 1869 in Louisville, KY USA
• Died December 21, 1909 in Covington, KY USA

BR page

Biographical Information

In the only game of his career, Kid Keenan threw an eight-inning complete game, while giving up only six hits, walking four and striking out five. His ERA for that game was 0.00, but the defense behind him managed to allow in nine unearned runs, therefore saddling Keenan with the loss.

He was long thought to be one Harry Leon Keenan, born in Louisville, KY in 1875 and who died in Covington, KY in 1903, which would have made him one of the youngest players of all-time, but that identification was wrong, as it pertained to the pitcher's younger brother. A recently-found contemporary account of the game call him "the young Jack Keenan", and says he was from Covington and had pitched earlier for Grand Rapids and Dayton. This allowed researchers to trace his death certificate, containing additional personal information. He was also buried under another name - John McKeenan.

Interestingly, Keenan also umpired one major league game - September 17, 1891, when Jack McQuaid was ill. That game, like his pitching performance, was also attributed to a different Keenan.

Further Reading

• "Jack Keenan Found", in Bill Carle, ed.: Biographical Research Committee Report, SABR, March/April 2010, p. 1.

Related Sites

• The box score of his only game