Tom Patton
From BR Bullpen
Tommy Allen Patton
- Bats Right, Throws Right
- Height 5' 9½", Weight 185 lb.
- Debut April 30, 1957
- Final Game April 30, 1957
- Born September 5, 1935 in Honey Brook, PA USA
[edit] Biographical Information
Tom Patton, a twenty-one year old catcher from Honey Brook, PA, had a chance to play in one major league game for the Baltimore Orioles on April 30, 1957. He struck out in both of his at-bats in the game at Fenway Park, but was still thrilled to be on the same field with his idol Ted Williams. Tom had originally been signed to an amateur free agent contract by the St. Louis Cardinals before the 1953 season.
The young catcher had spent four seasons in the minors from 1953 to 1956, having two good seasons, one in 1954 with the Dothan Rebels of the class D Alabama-Florida League where he hit .305 in 113 games, and the second when he hit .276 in a split season with the class B Peoria Chiefs of the Three-I League and the class A Columbus Cardinals of the South Atlantic League.
Patton was then drafted by the Baltimore Orioles from the St. Louis Cardinals on December 3, 1956 in the Rule V Draft. He would then get his very short look at the major leagues in April of 1957 and spent the rest of the year with the San Antonio Missions of the AA Texas League, where he hit .261 in 71 games. Tom spent 1958 with the Vancouver Mounties, not playing well, and would have just three more seasons in baseball.
Released by the Baltimore franchise, Tom spent the 1959 year with the Amarillo Gold Sox of the Texas League, hitting .270 in 105 games. In 1960, he was with three different clubs, hitting .298 but appearing in only 35 games. 1961 would be his last year in baseball and he finished out with the Williamsport Grays, catching 31 games and hitting .241. He had a total of nine seasons under his belt, appearing in 670 games with a .261 average and 33 home runs.
Patton returned home to his native Honey Brook, PA where, beginning in 1963, he had a much longer stay working for the Pepperidge Farm Bakery in nearby Downingtown, Pennsylvania.
