Long was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, and graduated from Moeller High School.

[3] Before the 1985 season, Long was traded by the San Diego Padres, along with Ozzie Guillén, Luis Salazar and Tim Lollar, to the White Sox, in the same deal that brought Cy Young Award winner LaMarr Hoyt to San Diego.

Long played his first professional game on July 21, 1985, with the Chicago White Sox.

In a six-season career, Long posted a 27-27 record with a 4.37 ERA and nine saves in 159 games pitched, 52 as a starter.

Long is a teacher at Gray Middle School in Union, Kentucky, where he teaches sixth grade social studies.