"As he had the year before, Mike got off to a slow start but came on very strong late in the season. He was hobbled by a pulled hamstring muscle that put him on the disabled list for a month after his first 1970 start. Although his 6-3 record was good, Mike showed so much class in his last five starts - he won four of them - that the big hope is that he will pick up where he left off and join the starting brigade.
Kekich was acquired from the Dodgers in 1968 in exchange for popular Andy Kosco. The trade was a vote of confidence in the 26-year-old pitcher's untapped potential. The 'mod lefthander' from Bellflower, California says, 'I've always loved fun and I hope I always will, but I take my pitching as seriously as anyone.' Mike is an individualist with flair, and it's never more evident than when he has that hopping fastball cutting the corners."
-The New York Yankees Official 1971 Yearbook
"Kekich enjoyed his finest season in the major leagues last year despite a rough first half due to injury. In his first start of the year, on April 12, he pulled his left hamstring muscle running to first base and was on the disabled list from April 13 to May 5.
He was in and out through July; however, he came on strong late in the season when he won four straight starts. Mike showed real consistency for the first time as a Yankee and took his place among the five regular Yankee starters along with Stottlemyre, Peterson, Bahnsen and Kline. He has always had a live arm with a hopping fastball and a good change of pace.
Mike hurled a 1-hitter against the Mets while with the Dodgers in 1968, shutting them out 2-0 while striking out 11. He has twice gone into the seventh inning without allowing a hit, against both the Mets and the Phillies in 1968. While with St. Petersburg in 1964, he struck out 11 consecutive batters.
Mike has many hobbies, including motorcycle riding."
-1971 New York Yankees Press-TV-Radio Guide
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