Reds Extend McKeon’s Contract

The Cincinnati Reds gave Manager Jack McKeon a one-year contract extension Friday, rewarding him for healing a team torn apart by Ray Knight’s confrontational style.

McKeon was hired as interim manager on July 25, when Knight was fired largely because of the turmoil in the clubhouse. McKeon, 66, has done such a good job at handling players that the Reds decided to make him more than a stand-in.

McKeon’s contract was up after this season and the Reds had planned to interview candidates when it season ended. But the club went 27-26 under McKeon and players openly lobbied for him to stay.

Knight had problems with veterans and young players alike because of his style. The Reds were 81-81 last year, Knight’s rookie season, and were 43-56 when he was fired.

McKeon had been out of managing since 1990, when he left San Diego. He was an advisor to the Reds when they asked him to take over for Knight on an interim basis.