Former baseball manager Jack McKeon, a 1963 Elon alumnus who led the Florida Marlins to the 2003 World Series championship, will deliver the commencement address at Elon University Saturday, May 20.
McKeon, 75, orchestrated one of the most remarkable turnarounds in baseball history in 2003, taking over a Marlins team that was 16-22 and guiding the club to a 75-49 regular season record, the National League pennant and a World Series victory over the New York Yankees. At age 72, he was the oldest manager ever to reach the World Series.
McKeon’s career in professional baseball began in 1949 as a minor league catcher in the Pittsburgh Pirates’ organization. In 1952, while playing minor league baseball in Burlington, N.C., McKeon became friends with Doc Mathis, who was athletics director at Elon at the time. McKeon helped coach the Elon baseball team and attended classes at Elon in the off-season.
McKeon, who lives in the town of Elon, began his professional managerial career in 1955 and eventually managed the Cincinnati Reds, Kansas City Royals, San Diego Padres and Oakland A’s, as well as the Marlins. He also spent 10 years as San Diego’s general manager. He was named National League Manager of the Year in 1999 and 2003.
The May 20 commencement exercises will begin at 9:30 a.m. in the historic area under the oaks in front of West Residence Hall.
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