"We all saw what he could do in 2005. Patty was OUTSTANDING!! He just couldn't stay healthy." Randy St.Claire commenting to The African Queen and I last year at The 2008 Picnic At The Park. Our Pitching Coach's remarks painfully accurate and so very sad at the same time. You could not convince me that not one fan for Our Washington Nationals did not believe in 2005 that John Patterson was going to be a star.
During that Inaugural Season of Our Washington Nationals he was UNBELIEVABLE, dominating, on top of his game and finally becoming the quality talent everyone envisioned when he was drafted back in 1996. Sadly, Old Number 22 in your Nationals Program could not hold up any longer. The pain was too great. Released by Washington last spring and The Texas Rangers a few short months later--today Patterson officially announced his retirement at a mere 30 years of age.
No matter what happened, no matter how unlucky or unfortunate Big John was in his baseball career, today's news saddens me. Never do I wish to see a great talent not thrive. But over the course of baseball history, many, many other players have preceded Patterson in breaking down and now finding themselves out of the game.
Every fan can remember what Old Number 22 was like at his very best. Check out this post. On August 4th, 2005--John Patterson pitched The Greatest Game In Our Washington Nationals short history--not many others come close.
Good Luck John--Sohna and I wish you the very best--in whatever direction life leads you.
Very sad. I remember watching him play long toss as part of his preparation for the night's game.
ReplyDeleteHe was a key part of that first amazing summer.
"you could not convince me that not one fan for Our Washington Nationals did not believe in 2005 that John Patterson was going to be a star."
ReplyDeleteOne more negative in that sentence and you would have hit for the cycle.
I was at that game and it's one of my favorite Nats memories. Sad to see the end of a career, particularly for a young player with such promise. I wish him well with his future endeavors, whatever they may be.
ReplyDeleteWhat a shame. Patty even had that one fantastic road start in April 2006 before the arm miseries struck. A bunch of us thought we were seeing the second coming of Jim Palmer. He was also very nice to and congenial with the fans.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the memories, J.P. Regrets for what might have been.
Quite a loss, but it was good to see he was already looking to future business plans outside baseball.
ReplyDeleteEvery time John Patterson took the mound in 2005, players and fans could be guaranteed a well pitched ball game. Even if the offense scored only two runs for him (and that was quite often), you knew the Nats still had a chance to win with JP on the mound. I will never forget the standing ovations as he walked off the field, and him waving his cap in thanks to the RFK faithful after another stellar effort. He was a huge part of the magic that was the 2005 season.
ReplyDeleteGood luck, John. I feel blessed to have been able to watch you work.
And I loved seeing Shannon too!
ReplyDeleteOld Nats Guy: Waving of the cap. The African Queen loved when John Patterson did that to show appreciation to the fans. She has always talked about it. More than any other pitcher that has ever played for Washington in these four short seasons, JP gave back to the fans and loved playing here. Nice comments. Thank you very much.
ReplyDeleteSaddest part of the game is when a player can see the light, but injuries just don't let it happen.
ReplyDeleteIt happens at every level of the game from high school through to the big leagues. Her's wishing the whole Patterson family a prosperous, healthy and loving life.
In 2005 every night he went on the mound, especially in the second half of the season you knew we were GOING TO WIN or be competitive in that game. Patterson was going to pitch 6-7 strong innings and leave it up to our offense and bullpen to do the rest.
ReplyDeleteReally sad to see this, but thank you John Patterson for the memories