#138 Mike Kekich

1972: 4^th starter for the Yankees but in the future he would not be known for on the field accomplishment but a reflection of changing relationship norms …popularly known as a “wife/life swap” with teammate Fritz Peterson but further analysis Kekich and Fritz wife were only together for a short while and never married….Kekich has a straight California lineage....Born in San Diego and signed by the Dodgers...spent parts of three seasons in the Dodgers class A affiliate in Santa Barbara in the years 1964 to 1967....1965: debuted and exclusively played for the LA Dodgers but only on a frugal basis...Became a true member of the Dodger roster in 1968....most spot starts kept ERA under 4 runs a game....traded to NYY straight up for Andy Kosco...1969 and 1970 took on swing man role, some starts some relief with mediocre effectiveness...lowered ERA and garnered himself as a starter in 1971....continued on that path into 1972....won 10 games in each season....then the aforementioned  controversy....career quickly stalled in 1973 suffering a significant decline in performance that was not reversed by a trade to the tribe....Released by Cleveland prior to 1974 season....went to be a vagabond signing with Texas laboring for their AAA Spokane club, took on an unsuccessful stint in Japan, then returned to Spokane and a Texas call up for handful of innings....Got hurt in a motorcycle accident and was released by Rangers.... After time off for rehabilitation signed by the fledgling Seattle Mariners which assigned him Mexican League Nuevo Laredo to keep active....As a Mariner, did not pitch particularly well (5.60 ERA) but was lucky enough go 5-4 on a 98 loss team....did not make to 1978, washing up on shores of San Jose PCL AAA team and then another stretch back in Spokane....tried being a player/manager in the short lived Inter-American AAA league which quickly folded....not willing to give up on baseball played 2 years in Mexico...a serviceable career that may have been derailed by being a tabloid sensation.