McKeon grew up in Erlanger, Kentucky but moved to Florida before high school. McKeon attended South Broward High School in Hollywood, Florida and played college baseball at Miami Dade College. In 1987, South Broward dedicated its baseball clubhouse to McKeon.
He was drafted by the Chicago White Sox in 1982 and assigned to the Gulf Coast League to begin his professional career.
McKeon's wrist was injured early in spring training in 1986 but he performed well enough in the first month of the Triple-A season to earn his first promotion to the Major Leagues on May 7, 1986. Outfielder Rodney Craig was promoted to make room for him on the roster. He made his Major League debut on May 6 against the New York Yankees; he pitched a scoreless two thirds of an inning in relief of Dave Schmidt. He recorded the only save of his career on June 6 of that season, retiring both Oakland Athletics batters he faced in the bottom of the ninth inning. In July, McKeon contracted hepatitis in Cleveland and was hospitalized in Chicago. He was placed on the disabled list and would not return that season.

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