Talk:East Chicago Conquistadors
From BR Bullpen
Dr. Drayton "Smoke" Patterson, signed a players contract, managed, was the third base coach, and pitching coach for the East Chicago entry of the Mid-America League. Shoulder and back injuries shortened Smoke's pitching career after spending over 10 years as a Semi-Pro All-Star in Chicago. Tryouts with the White Sox, Cubs, Cardinals, and Blue Jays revealed that Smoke was unable to pitch on 2 to 5 days notice, as he needed a full 7 or 8 days for his piching arm to recover. Of significant note, Smoke has been said to be professional baseball's first Ph.D. Psychologist to manage a professional baseball team. After scouting 5 years with the MLB Scouting Bureau and 2 years with the Texas Rangers, Smoke joined Sam McDowell's Triumph's Unlimited group, and served as the Sport Psychologist for the Texas Rangers and Toronto Blue Jays in 1994, and also was the Sport Psychologist for the East Chicago Conquistadors. Smoke started the Independent Baseball Scouting Service in 1996-97, and continues to work independently with many professional basball players and other athletes as a psychologist. Smoke's managerial record in 1995 was 9-7, and left the team after a rift with the owner of the Conquistadors. Unfortunately, the team took a downward spiral after Smoke's departure and only won a few games the remainder of the 60 plus game season. Smoke was named "Manager of the Month" in June 1995, as his team won their forst five games...several by comebacks of five runs or more in the late innings. Former White Sox Ron Kittle managed against Smoke on several occasions as he managed the Merrillville MudDogs. (note: moved from East Chicago, IN page)
IT IS OF PUBLIC RECORD THAT DR. DRAYTON "MR. SMOKE" PATTERSON WAS THE FIRST MANAGER, WHO SIGNED A PLAYERS CONTRACT TO PITCH AND MANAGE THE EAST CHICAGO CONQUISTADORS (SEE USA TODAY BASEBALL WEEKLY JUNE 14-20, 1995) AND MANAGED THE TEAM TO A 9-7 RECORD BEFORE LEAVING THE TEAM AFTER A RIFT WITH THE OWNER. SMOKE PATTERSON IS ALSO THE FIRST PH.D PSYCHOLOGIST TO MANAGE A PROFESSIONAL BASEBALL TEAM, AND ALSO WAS THE SPORT PSYCHOLOGIST FOR THE TORONTO BLUE JAYS (MINOR LEAGUES) AND THE TEXAS RANGERS (MAJOR AND MINOR LEAGUES) IN 1994, HIRED BY BASEBALL GREAT SAM MCDOWELL. RON D'AUTEUIL PLAYED SECOND BASE FOR SMOKE, AND WAS THE MANAGER FOR THE FINAL GAMES OF THE SEASON IN 1995. THERE WERE A NUMBER OF OTHER MANAGERS AFTER OUR FIRST MANAGER LEFT (WHAT A MESS), BUT WE HAD A LOT OF FUN. I HERE PATTERSON STILL IS A SCOUT /PSYCHOLOGIST/CONSULTANT FOR A NUMBER OF TEAMS. BASEBALL ALMANAC CHECK YOUR SOURCES!!!!! (note: moved from main article)
