Patterson finally makes it to majors
Don Ketchum
The Arizona Republic
July 20, 2002
SAN DIEGO ?C The ear-to-ear smile said it all.
Nearly six years after squeezing through a loophole to sign with the Diamondbacks as an amateur free agent, pitcher John Patterson arrived in the major leagues on Friday and will make his debut tonight against the San Diego Padres.
The 24-year-old right-hander will replace right-hander Rick Helling, who was placed on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to Tuesday, with a high right-ankle sprain.
It's of little consequence to Patterson that some 50,000 fans will be on hand at Qualcomm Stadium for the weekly Saturday Baseball Night in San Diego with a beach-bag giveaway.
What matters to Patterson are the 25 family members and friends who will travel from his home in the Houston area.
He was in Sacramento with the Triple-A Tucson Sidewinders when player development director Tommy Jones called him Thursday morning.
"He said, 'It looks like your father is going to need a plane ticket to San Diego,' " Patterson said. "I jumped out of bed. I'm really excited. I've been waiting for this for a long time."
Patterson was the fifth overall pick by Montreal in the first round of the 1996 draft and was one of two "loophole" players (the other was first baseman Travis Lee) to sign with Arizona after they were ruled free agents because they were not offered contracts within a specified period.
He had elbow ligament surgery in 2000 and had a rough start in Tucson this year before bouncing back to post a 6-4 record, including victories in his past five decisions. In 75 1/3 innings, he allowed 78 hits, striking out 68 and walking 26.
Manager Bob Brenly said he liked what he saw of Patterson during spring training.
The reports of his past few outings in Tucson were very impressive, Brenly said.
"Especially that curveball," Brenly said. "They say it's the one that made us sign him, the 12-6 snapdragon. I'm still going to give him that pep talk that you give all the young guys who come up for the first time ?C it's still 60 feet, 6 inches to the plate. You still need to make the pitches."
The 6-foot-5 Patterson, always on the skinny side, said he has put on 15 pounds since the spring and now is at 215.
"It's helped me with my strength and endurance," Patterson said. "My mechanics are better, my velocity is up and my breaking ball is better.
"To go through all I've gone through makes this much sweeter.
"I've really proved to myself, showed to myself and others, that I can do it with hard work."
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Patterson up; Colby, Helling DL'd
By Steve Gilbert / MLB.com
SAN DIEGO -- When John Patterson's cell phone rang in his Sacramento hotel room, he rolled out of bed and glanced at the number that was calling, noticed it was a Phoenix area code, decided it was one of his friends calling and promptly turned off the phone so he could get a little more sleep.
Then his hotel room phone rang and he decided to answer it.
Smart move.
Both calls were from Arizona Director of Minor League Operations Tommy Jones, who was calling to let the 24-year-old pitcher know he was being called up from Triple-A Tucson to the big leagues for the first time.
Patterson will make his Major League debut Saturday when he starts in place of Rick Helling, who was placed on the disabled list retroactive to July 16 with a high right ankle sprain.
That was one of two moves made by the Diamondbacks on Friday prior to their 6-1 loss to the San Diego Padres at Qualcomm Stadium, Arizona's fourth straight defeat here.
Infielder Greg Colbrunn also was placed on the disabled list (retroactive to July 18) with what the club termed a "calf injury" and infielder Jay Bell was activated from the 60-day disabled list. Bell will play first base Saturday, a position he has never played as a big leaguer.
To make room for Bell on the 40-man roster, the D-Backs designated pitcher Erik Sabel for assignment.
Helling (7-7), who has never missed a start in his career, tried to pitch with the ankle sprain, but was ineffective in two starts and realized that he had altered his mechanics and was not pushing off with the ankle to avoid the pain. That dropped his velocity and made his pitches more hittable.
Manager Bob Brenly told Helling Thursday that he would likely be placed on the DL Friday, but the pitcher still hoped to talk Brenly out of it. Then he walked in the clubhouse Friday, saw Patterson and realized the decision had already been made.
"The decision was made for me," Helling said. "I think in the long run it will probably be the best thing."
One of the reasons Helling was so against going on the DL was that he had put together three consecutive victories and another good start before the injury and felt he was on a roll after a frustrating start to the season.
"I'll just have to start a new one," he said.
"It took a lot of convincing," Brenly said of his talks with Helling. "This is obviously a very competitive guy. It was real apparent his last couple of starts that it wasn't there."
Brenly also had to do some convincing to get Colbrunn on the DL.
"I have 15 days to get healthy," said Colbrunn, who missed the first week of the season recovering from arthroscopic surgery on his right elbow. "Hopefully, it won't take that long."
Patterson arrived in San Diego Friday and said he was nervous until he went out and walked around Qualcomm Stadium.
"I usually don't get nervous out on the field," he said. "(Saturday night) though I'm sure will be an exception."
Patterson made just three appearances in 2000 before undergoing "Tommy John" surgery on May 25. In 2001, he was limited to 20 games as he recovered from surgery and then strained his right shoulder.
"I gave him the same pep talk we give all the guys that come up from Tucson," Brenly said. "It's still the same game. That rubber is 60 feet, six inches away from the plate and these hitters have holes, too, and if you can make your pitches, you'll get them out."
Bell has been on the disabled list since March 28 with calf problems. It's been frustrating for the veteran, who spent the off season on an intense workout program.
"It's nice to be back," Bell said. "It's been a long summer. Certainly it's a little frustrating, but there's no use in sulking over something you can't control. My objective is to do whatever BB wants me to do and contribute to this team."
Bell took ground balls at first base during batting practice, hoping to add to his versatility. The 36-year-old has played second, short and third during his career, but never first.
Notes
Damian Miller did not start again Friday, with Rod Barajas catching Miguel Batista. Brenly said he plans to start Chad Moeller on Saturday since he is familiar with Patterson after catching him in Tucson this season. Miller, who Brenly said is available to pinch-hit and play defense in the meantime, will start with Randy Johnson on the hill.
First baseman Erubiel Durazo (oblique muscle) is scheduled to begin an injury rehabilitation assignment Saturday with Tucson. Brenly said he will leave it up to Durazo to decide when he's ready to return.
Steve Gilbert is an editorial producer for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
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