Former major league reliever Ken MacKenzie has passed away at age 89, according to the Associated Press.
Born in Ontario, MacKenzie attended Yale. He signed with the Braves out of school in 1956. MacKenzie reached the big leagues with the franchise, at the time based in Milwaukee, in 1960. He pitched 15 1/3 innings over parts of two seasons before joining the expansion Mets in 1962.
MacKenzie logged a career-high 80 innings for the inaugural team in Queens, posting a 4.95 ERA. As the AP notes, his 5-4 record made him the only pitcher with an above-.500 mark for a team that ultimately went 40-120. MacKenzie was traded twice the following season, going to the Cardinals and Giants. He also saw some action with the Astros in 1965.
Over parts of six campaigns, the left-hander posted a 4.80 ERA across 208 1/3 innings. He struck out 142 hitters and picked up eight wins. After his playing career, he coached baseball and hockey at his alma mater throughout the 1970s. MLBTR sends our condolences to MacKenzie’s family, friends and former teammates.
My condolences. And thanks to MLBTR for doing this so well – we appreciate reading about these amazing guys.
I remember him, but I have to admit it’s probably from playing APBA and Strat-o-Matic more than actual games. RIP.
RIP. Plaing on that first Mets team had to be hard—I watched them.
How long till your eyes stopped hurting from watching them. Had the same issue as a Pens fan from the beginning…….They were hard to watch as well….My eyes hurt for a very long time….
RIP Mr. MacKenzie and thoughts & prayers to his loved ones. He pitched before my time, but I am familiar with him.
And TONY …… can you PLEASE specify to which Ontario you are referring.
Is it the well known city in California? Or the province in Canada? I would think if it’s the latter, you’d have mentioned the town and country.
Thank you.
He was Canadian
From the town of Gore Bay Ontario Canada. On Lake Huron. Population <900
Thank you Agee.
I know it’s a busy time of year for the MLBTR staff, but Ken deserves the respect of having his birthplace properly stated. It’s interesting he attended a US university.
And not just any US university. He was still coaching when Ron Darling arrived in New Haven in 1978, so I wonder if they crossed paths.
I had never heard of Ken MacKenzie, but I appreciate this site for informing us of his passing. These people are more than just metrics. RIP Ontario native… you were probably the best skater on your teams.
RIP Mr MacKenzie.
By the way, the 1962 Mets were not the inaugural team in Queens, they were the inaugural team from the Polo Grounds in Manhattan.
RIP
RIP Ken…..
Vaya Con Dios Amigo
FYI “MacKenzie logged a career-high 80 innings for the inaugural team in Queens”…….
Ken never played at Shea in Queens..it opened in 1954. He played in ’62 at the Polo Grounds in upper Manhaattan.
RIP,
1964