A native of Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania, McKechnie played infield for the Pittsburgh Pirates from 1907-1909. He was known for his strong defensive skills and was often called upon to fill in for injured players. McKechnie was a part of the Pirates team that won the 1909 World Series.
In 1910, McKechnie began his managerial career with the Louisville Colonels. He was successful in turning the team around and was hired to manage the Boston Rustlers in 1911. He managed the team until they became the Boston Braves in 1912. McKechnie led the Braves to the 1914 National League pennant and remains the only manager in Major League Baseball history to win a pennant with two different teams in the same season.
McKechnie continued to manage various teams until his retirement in 1946. He was known for his level-headedness and his ability to bring the best out of his players. He was the NL Manager of the Year on three different occasions and led the St. Louis Cardinals to the World Series in 1942.
McKechnie is one of the few men to have been inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame as a manager. He was elected in 1962 for his accomplishments as a manager, coach, and player. His influence in the sport is still felt today and he is remembered as one of the greatest baseball minds of all time.
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