Jarrod Patterson, infielder for the 2003 Royals, dies in automobile crash
Jarrod Patterson, who played briefly for the 2003 Royals team that made a surprise push for the playoffs, died last week in an automobile crash in Alabama. He was 46.
Patterson, a third baseman and first baseman, started the 2003 in Triple-A Omaha, but earned a promotion on July 4 after hitting 11 home runs with 50 RBIs.
In five games, he batted .231 with two runs scored and was sent back to Omaha. When rosters expanded in September, he was recalled and used mostly as a late-inning replacement.
The Royals, who lost 100 games a season earlier, finished with an 83-79 record in 2003 and were in the hunt for a playoff spot in September before fading.
Patterson was selected in 20th round of the 1993 draft by the New York Mets. He also played in the minor leagues for Arizona, Montreal, Pittsburgh and Detroit before making his big-league debut for the Tigers in 2001. He played 13 games that season but was in the minors in 2002 and joined the Royals organization in 2003.
According to an obituary from the Martin Funeral Home, Patterson worked as a hitting instructor and travel baseball coach after retiring. He is survived by three sons, a daughter and his parents.
The Clanton (Alabama) Advertiser reported that last Wednesday, “at around 11:30 p.m., Patterson’s vehicle was traveling northbound in the southbound lanes of the interstate (65)” and struck another vehicle.
