Former A's pitcher Matt Keough begins his fifth season as a special assistant to the general manager.

Oakland's fourth pick in the 1973 June Free Agent Draft, Keough compiled a 58-84 record with a 4.17 ERA in 215 career games, including 175 starts. His major league career included stops with Oakland (1977-83), New York Yankees (1983), St. Louis (1985), Chicago Cubs (1986) and Houston (1986). Keough's best year came in 1980, when he finished with a 16-13 record to go along with a 2.92 ERA in 34 games, including 20 complete games. For his efforts, The Sporting News named Keough its Comeback Player of the Year. In 1978, he was Oakland's lone representative at the All-Star Game in San Diego. Keough still ranks among Oakland's career pitching leaders in complete games (53; 5th) and shutouts (7; t-10th).

Keough, 50, resides in Coto de Caza, Calif. His father, Marty, played in the majors with Boston, Cleveland, Washington, Cincinnati, Atlanta and the Chicago Cubs, while his uncle, Joe Keough, saw time with Oakland, Kansas City Royals and the Chicago White Sox.