1976 Topps #212 - Pat Kelly

• Pat Kelly was an outfielder and a DH for five teams from 1967-1981. He was signed by the Minnesota Twins in 1962 and played in the Twins' system from 1963-1968. Pat made his major league debut in 1967 with one at bat and also played for the Twins in September 1968 (.114 in 35 AB).

• Kelly was selected by the Kansas City Royals in the expansion draft and played outfield for them in 1969. Pat batted .264 with eight homers and 40 stolen bases. He became the Royals' starting RF in 1970 and batted .235 with six homers and 34 stolen bases. Pat also had 76 bases on balls.

• After the 1970 season Kelly was traded to the Chicago White Sox. He started the 1971 season in AAA Tucson and was brought back to the White Sox on July 1 after batting .355 for the Toros. Pat batted .291 in 67 games for the White Sox in '71. He was the starting RF in 1972. Pat batted .261 and had 32 stolen bases.

• In 1973 Kelly made the AL All Star team. He played in a career-high 144 games and batted .280. Pat played three more years for the White Sox and had similar seasons. After the 1976 season he was traded to the Baltimore Orioles for Dave Duncan. He was the starting LF for the Orioles in 1977 and batted .256 with 10 home runs in 120 games. In 1978 Pat was more of a pinch hitter and substitute OF/DH. He had a career-high 11 homers and batted .274 in 247 AB.

• In 1979 Kelly had his best power year, even though he had a lot fewer at bats. He hit nine homers in 153 at bats and had a slugging percentage of .536. He batted .364 in 11 at bats in the American League Championship Series and was 1 for 4 in the 1979 World Series.

• Pat batted .260 in 200 at bats in 1980 and then was granted free agency. He signed with the Cleveland Indians and dropped to a .213 average in 75 at bats in 1981. He was released in spring training in 1982 and retired.

• Pat liked to face Joe Coleman (.328 with 1 HR in 67 AB) and Fergie Jenkins (.313 with 3 HR in 67 AB). He didn't like to face Bert Blyleven (.149 in 87 AB) and Luis Tiant (.213 in 61 AB).

• After his career Pat was a minister for Lifeline Ministries in Baltimore, MD. He died of a heart attack in 2005.