Jeoffrey Keith Long, a former Major League Baseball player whose career included time with the St. Louis Cardinals and Chicago White Sox, has died at the age of 84.
Long died on September 25, 2026, in Elsmere, Kentucky. His professional baseball journey was marked by a difficult beginning as a pitcher, a successful transition to hitting, and a brief opportunity to compete at the Major League level.
From Northern Kentucky to Professional Baseball
Long was born October 9, 1941, in Covington, Kentucky, and grew up in nearby Erlanger. His athletic ability eventually led him to professional baseball, and in 1959 he signed with the St. Louis Cardinals.
He began his professional career as a pitcher, but his first two minor-league seasons were challenging. He finished that stretch with a 2–14 record before making a significant change in his baseball career.
In 1961, Long moved to first base, giving him more opportunities to showcase his ability as a hitter.
A Powerful Bat Earned Him an MLB Opportunity
The position change proved important. In 1962, Long hit 30 home runs for the Tulsa Oilers in the Class AA Texas League, earning recognition and a chance to reach the Major Leagues.
That opportunity arrived on July 31, 1963, when Long made his MLB debut with the Cardinals. He appeared in five games that season as a pinch hitter.
In 1964, he spent time with both the Cardinals and the Chicago White Sox, playing first base and in the outfield.
Long recorded his only Major League home run in May 1964 against the Milwaukee Braves, adding one of the most memorable moments to his short MLB career.
Knee Injury Changed His Baseball Path
Long’s professional career was later affected by a serious knee injury suffered while playing left field at Fenway Park in July 1964.
The injury limited his ability to continue playing and led to several years of attempts at rehabilitation. After working to return to the game, Long eventually retired from professional baseball in 1969.
He finished his Major League career with 56 games played, 16 hits, four doubles, one home run, and nine RBIs.
Remembering Jeoffrey Keith Long
Although Long’s time in the Major Leagues was relatively short, his journey to professional baseball was anything but ordinary.
He went from growing up in Northern Kentucky to signing with the Cardinals, overcoming early struggles as a pitcher, reinventing himself as a hitter, and reaching the highest level of professional baseball.
Jeoffrey Keith Long will be remembered for the perseverance he showed throughout his baseball career and for the powerful hitting ability that ultimately helped him reach the Major Leagues.
His death leaves family, friends, and those who remember his baseball career mourning his passing and honoring the life he lived.
May Jeoffrey Keith Long rest in peace.
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