John McKee

John McKee

• Died February 18, 1931 in Hamden, CT USA

BR Minors page

Biographical Information

Outfielder John McKee played in the minor leagues from 1884 to 1894, primarily with the Wilkes-Barre Barons. He led the 1886 Pennsylvania State Association in average (.325), hits (107) and homers (8). He also paced the 1888 Central League with 112 steals.

However, he is likely best known for causing a bench-clearing brawl while playing for the New Haven team of the Atlantic Association in 1890 during an exhibition game against the Baltimore Orioles. Reddy Mack attempted to tag him at second base, to which McKee responded by punching Mack in the neck. This led to Mack hitting McKee in the jaw and beating him up while the crowd shouted "Knock him, Reddy! Clean him out!" Both players were hauled off the field by police and arrested for this.