Corey Patterson?s career as a Baltimore Oriole seemed destined to be short.
The Orioles got the once-promising center fielder in a trade with the Chicago Cubs during the off-season, after the Cubs appeared to give up on him after seven seasons.
Two years ago he hit 24 home runs, but 2005 saw Patterson stumble offensively, and he was sent to the minors.
“I know I needed a change of scenery,” Patterson said of the move to Baltimore. “It?s for the best. It?s a process you have to go through. It?s hard to deal with at times, but I think it?ll make you a better person in the long run and a better player.”
After a slow start at the plate, Patterson is batting .250 with four home runs, three doubles, 16 RBIS and a team-leading 10 stolen bases.
“He waited his turn. There?s no question about it. He had an off spring and didn?t do some of the things he?s doing now, but he?s done those things,” Orioles manager Sam Perlozzo said. “He stayed ready with (hitting coach Terry Crowley), hitting and working on his hitting every day.”
He got his shot at playing center field with injuries to Luis Matos and David Newhan. Newhan remains on the DL, but Matos is back with the team and Patterson is firmly entrenched as the center fielder.
“He?s playing great defense in center field. He covers everything,” Perlozzo said.
Patterson said his approach is simple.
“I?ve gone through some ups and downs in my career a little bit. The biggest thing I?ve learned is when you?re having a bad day here or there, you don?t dwell on it too much,” Patterson said.
THE PATTERSON FILE
Full name: Donald Corey Patterson
Born: Aug. 13, 1979
Height/weight: 5-9/175
Born: Atlanta, Ga.
Did you know? Patterson made his big-league debut with the Cubs in 2000 … His brother, Eric, played for Georgia Tech in the 2002 College World Series, and was the top minor league player in the Cubs? system last season.
