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By Jon Paul Hoornstra
Contributing Sports Writer
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Daryl Patterson, who pitched for four major league teams in a five-year career in Major League Baseball, has died.
The Detroit Tigers, whom Patterson helped to win the 1968 World Series, announced his passing Thursday on Twitter/X. He was 81.
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"The Tigers mourn the passing of former player Daryl Patterson and share our condolences with his loved ones," the post read. "Patterson pitched in Detroit for four seasons, helping the Tigers win the World Series in 1968."
A native of California, Patterson also pitched for the Oakland Athletics (1971), St. Louis Cardinals (1971), and Pittsburgh Pirates (1974) after his four seasons with the Tigers (1968-71). He retired with a career record of 11-9, with 11 saves and a 4.09 ERA in 142 games.
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Patterson made two relief appearances during the Tigers' seven-game World Series win against the St. Louis Cardinals. He tossed three scoreless innings, allowing one hit and one walk. Both runners were caught trying to steal, and Patterson faced the minimum nine batters in his only postseason.
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That proved to be the highlight of Patterson's 12-year career in professional baseball, which also included a brief stint in the Los Angeles Dodgers' system in 1964.
Patterson signed his first contract out of the College of the Sequoias, where he was spotted by Dodgers scout Dwight "Red" Adams. After appearing in 22 games for Class-A Santa Barbara of the California League in 1964, Patterson was selected by the Tigers in the first-year minor league draft (which was eliminated after that year).
That would mark the beginning of Patterson's career in the Tigers' organization, which saw him advance from Class-A in 1965, to Double-A in 1966, to Triple-A in 1967 — just in time to join the Tigers for their championship run in 1968.
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From 1968-69, Patterson was among the Tigers' most reliable relief pitchers. He had a 2.29 ERA (141 ERA+) and seven saves across 56 games in his first two MLB seasons.
Patterson's performance declined from there, however, and he was traded to Oakland midway through the 1971 season. After just four games with the A's, Patterson was traded to the Cardinals.
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In St. Louis, Patterson replaced Bob Gibson — the Cardinals' ace during the 1968 World Series — in the starting rotation late in the season. In his second start, Patterson retired the first 14 New York Mets batters he faced on Sept. 30, 1971, but the Mets rallied for five runs in the sixth inning to turn the tables.
That would prove to be Patterson's final start in the major leagues. After retiring from pitching, he worked for the Pacific Gas & Electric company in California for two decades, rising from helper to chief inspector.
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