Roy Patterson
Encyclopedia
Roy Lewis Patterson was a pitcher
in Major League Baseball
. Nicknamed "The Boy Wonder," he played for the Chicago White Sox
from 1901 to 1907.
Patterson started his professional baseball career for the Western League's St. Paul Saints
in 1899. The following year, the team became known as the Chicago White Sox of the American League; in 1901, the American League
became a major league. Patterson hit his peak in 1900-03, winning 15 or more games each year. On April 24, 1901, he became the first AL winning pitcher, as the other games that day were rained out. That season, Patterson won 20 games for the only time in the majors and led the White Sox in games started and innings pitched. Chicago won the pennant.
After 1903, Patterson remained an effective pitcher, but his workload diminished. He joined the American Association
's Minneapolis Millers
in 1908, pitching most of the next decade for them and winning over 20 games in four different seasons. He pitched and managed in the Dakota League from 1921-22 before retiring.
Patterson took over his father's freight-hauling business after his baseball career ended. He died at the age of 76.
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
in Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
. Nicknamed "The Boy Wonder," he played for the Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
from 1901 to 1907.
Patterson started his professional baseball career for the Western League's St. Paul Saints
St. Paul Saints
The St. Paul Saints are a professional baseball team based in Saint Paul, Minnesota, in the United States. The Saints are a member of the North Division of the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball...
in 1899. The following year, the team became known as the Chicago White Sox of the American League; in 1901, the American League
American League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
became a major league. Patterson hit his peak in 1900-03, winning 15 or more games each year. On April 24, 1901, he became the first AL winning pitcher, as the other games that day were rained out. That season, Patterson won 20 games for the only time in the majors and led the White Sox in games started and innings pitched. Chicago won the pennant.
After 1903, Patterson remained an effective pitcher, but his workload diminished. He joined the American Association
American Association (20th century)
The American Association was a minor league baseball league at the Triple-A level of baseball in the United States from to and to . Together with the International League, it contested the Junior World Series which determined the championship team in minor league baseball, at least for the...
's Minneapolis Millers
Minneapolis Millers
The Minneapolis Millers were an American professional minor league baseball team that played in Minneapolis, Minnesota, until 1960. In the 19th century a different Minneapolis Millers were part of the Western League.The team played first in Athletic Park and later Nicollet Park.The name Minneapolis...
in 1908, pitching most of the next decade for them and winning over 20 games in four different seasons. He pitched and managed in the Dakota League from 1921-22 before retiring.
Patterson took over his father's freight-hauling business after his baseball career ended. He died at the age of 76.