At Christmas, McKeons gather by dozens, talk baseball

MIAMI — There are plenty of helpings of ham and turkey at the dinner table on Christmas Day at the McKeon household. There’s also an endless amount of storytelling — particularly baseball stories.

Jack McKeon, as energetic as ever at age 86, never runs out of material when it comes to discussing the game that flows through his blood. The holiday season is a time he gathers with family and, not surprisingly, there are McKeon connections spread across the Major Leagues.

McKeon’s son, Kasey, is director of player procurement with the Nationals. His son-in-law, Greg Booker, is a scout with the Dodgers. Grandsons Zach Booker and Kellan McKeon are with the Orioles and Phillies, respectively.

“We don’t talk too much about turkey and Christmas traditions; we talk baseball,” Jack McKeon said.

McKeon remains a big part of the Marlins, in the present and past. He’s a longtime special assistant to the owner.

To Marlins fans, McKeon’s legacy will forever be linked to 2003. When the season began, he was out of the game, but he was brought back on May 11 that year to take over an underperforming club.

Then 72, McKeon directed the Marlins to one of the great turnaround seasons in baseball history, guiding them back from 10 games under .500 to a World Series …

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