Royals All Time All-Star Team – Part One

1973 Topps Freddie Patek baseball card

Shortstop: Freddie Patek (3)

Shortstop has not traditionally been a strong position for the Kansas City Royals during their 45 year history. In that time, only Freddie Patek and Kurt Stillwell have been selected for the All-Star Game, with Patek as the only Royals shortstop to make it more than once.

Patek was typical of what was expected from most middle infielders during that time frame. A slick fielding, slap hitting speedster, Patek never had more than six home runs in any major league season, finishing his career with 41 long balls. He was, however, adept at stealing bases, stealing more than 50 bags twice and just missing a third time with 49 in 1971.

For his career with the Royals, Freddie Patek produced a .241/.309/.321 batting line, hitting 182 doubles and stealing 336 bases. In his best season in 1971, Patek produced a .267/.323/.371 batting line with 49 steals, leading the league with eleven triples and finishing sixth in the MVP ballot. Of course, that season, Patek was not named to the All-Star team.

Essentially the typical middle infielder of his era, Patek was good enough to be recognized on the national stage for his abilities. As he paired with Frank White during the first half of the Royals heyday, it is only fitting that he joins his double play partner once again as a member of the Royals All Time All-Star Team.