Best shortstop in KC history??

[bake mcbride]

Of all the shorstops the Royals have ever had, four jump out at me as being a notch above the rest, but which one stands tallest??

And Buddy Biancalana doesn't count!!

[MetsFan11368]

In my book, it has to be the little man with the big heart:

Freddie Patek.

[The Commissioner]

It's got to be Patek.

On the Royals' All-Time lists here is where he ranks in a few major categories:

Stolen Bases-3rd (336)
Walks-5th (413)
Runs-6th (571)
Hits- 6th (1036)
Doubles- 8th (182)
Total Bases- 9th (1384)
Triples- 9th (41)


Add to that his three All-Star selections and the three straight division titles that he helped the Royals win, and the choice is easy.

[jhwinfrey]

Freddie Patek by a long shot, even if only by the virtue of his fine Grandy's restaurants.

Give Angel Berroa 5 or 6 more seasons like 2003 and this will be an interesting debate.

[Zito75]

I'll vote for Kurt Stillwell. Heck, he was an all-star once!

[The Commissioner]

Originally posted by Zito75
I'll vote for Kurt Stillwell. Heck, he was an all-star once!

Which is still only a third as many times as Patek was.

[Patekhater]

Munckin reject from the Wizard of Oz to put on a Royals Uniform.

Didn't this guy hit 240 or something? Plus I heard he was a prick.

[Patekhater]

judging by the choices here I would say that you guys were racist

[Bleacherbee]

UL Washington played half the games of Patek with a worse fielding percentage.

Are you actually serious about Washington?

[Patekhater]

Not only is Freddie Patek the greatest Royals shortstop in history, but also an outstanding contributor to the game itself. When you consider a game now tainted with over bearing, multi-millionaire babies, Patek stands out as a true hero. Standing only 5'5", Patek was rumored to be able to throw across the diamond from the hole at an outstanding velocity of around 95 mph. Patek, also was famous for his patented bare-hand turn during double plays. In an age of medically enhanced players, Patek, in his time, posessed not only superior hand-eye coordination and raw speed, but qualities still not held by the average major-leaguer today. Freddie was pure talent.

[Patekhater]

than Freddy "Kiss my ass" Patek

[Patekhater]

Originally Posted by Patekhater

Not only is Freddie Patek the greatest Royals shortstop in history, but also an outstanding contributor to the game itself. When you consider a game now tainted with over bearing, multi-millionaire babies, Patek stands out as a true hero. Standing only 5'5", Patek was rumored to be able to throw across the diamond from the hole at an outstanding velocity of around 95 mph. Patek, also was famous for his patented bare-hand turn during double plays. In an age of medically enhanced players, Patek, in his time, posessed not only superior hand-eye coordination and raw speed, but qualities still not held by the average major-leaguer today. Freddie was pure talent.

Patek is to great as Bonds is to personality

[Bleacherbee]

Originally Posted by Patekhater

Patek is to great as Bonds is to personality

When you use such amazing facts to back up your argument, its amazing how we all haven't swayed towards UL Washington.

We used to have a great name for him in Detroit but it escapes me now...

[Bleacherbee]

Also, are you arguing with yourself?

[Tallman20012001]

Do you know where I could find a copy of that great photo of Fred Patek crying on the Kansas City bench after Chris Chambliss hit the home run that put the Yankees into the 1976 World Series?

[Captain Cold Nose]

Originally Posted by Patekhater

Patek is to great as Bonds is to personality

Speaking of personalities . . .

[HDH]

I'm not declaring Tony Pena greatest KC SS; I didn't want to start a new thread: Although he's not hitting, SS Tony Pena is covering more ground than anyone I've seen since the days of Mark belanger, Buck Dent, and Eddie Brinkman. In my opinion, he makes up for his lack of offensive with his defensive range.

I can't believe the Braves gave up on him.

[SamtheBravesFan]

Originally Posted by HDH

I'm not declaring Tony Pena greatest KC SS; I didn't want to start a new thread: Although he's not hitting, SS Tony Pena is covering more ground than anyone I've seen since the days of Mark belanger, Buck Dent, and Eddie Brinkman. In my opinion, he makes up for his lack of offensive with his defensive range.

I can't believe the Braves gave up on him.

The Braves had no room for him. Besides, they have Yunel Escobar AND Elvis Andrus, so Pena was expendable.

[KCGHOST]

Patek wins this hands down, but this is not a stellar competition. He is the only SS we have had who has manned the position for 800+ games. freddie has a WARP3 of 56 in 1200+ games. U.L. checks with a WARP3 of 26 in 750+ games.

Stilwell was the best hitter of the bunch, but couldn't field a batted ball on a bet if he had to move more than two steps.

[George Vedros]

I would vote Patek.

I found it interesting that in Patek's final days with the Royals he seemed to be on the outs with his teamates. If the newspapaer is to be trusted, it said that the team was hostile to a man to Patek because of his inability to shake an injury. Maybe I shouldn't even repeat this because I don't know if it's true. But after U.l. took over many Royals were quoted as saying he was better than Fred.
This gives me pause, but I still vote Patek.