If not, allow me to refresh your memory. He was the bullpen coach for the Toronto Blue Jays in 2001 and assumed the role of pitching coach from 2002 – 2004. Patterson’s claim to fame is teaching Roy Halladay his cut fastball, which is why he was able to stick around at the big league level for all of 3 seasons.
Probably what Toronto fans will remember more is that Patterson taught Esteban Loaiza that same cut fastball just as he was on his way out of town. Loaiza, who had never had an ERA+ over 111 in a full season, turned in a stellar season for the Chicago White Sox on the back of his newfound cutter, sporting an ERA+ of 159 while finishing as runner up to Roy Halladay in Cy Young voting and becoming an all-star for the first time. He led the league in strikesouts with 207 in 226 innings, going 21-9 with an ERA of 2.90.
Today Patterson is pitching coach for the AAA Columbus Clippers. But that’s not all. Gil will analyze video tapes of young pitchers who are striving to become like those who Gil coaches today. You mail your video to Gil and Gil will mail you back his full analysis, including drills, mechanical changes, excercises and mental approaches. As well, you get unlimited access to Gil via email and unlimited video analysis and scheduled phone conversations. How much does this cost? $10,000? $100,000? $500,000? No! Only $20!!! Best deal ever. If you want a year long analysis, it costs only $100! Gil will evaluate as many tapes as you want for a whole year! Can you believe it? For more information check out Gil Patterson’s Website. With Gil’s help, perhaps you too will be laughing your way back to the dugout as opposing hitters get CUTTERED! h/t to Zoo With Roy.
To the best of your knowledge why is Patterson down in AAA? Does he have a history of arm injuries, etc?
I don’t know really. But at the end of the day there’s only 30 MLB level pitching coach jobs to go around so people are going to get squeezed. I don’t think Patterson’s track record is bad but it doesn’t particularly stand out, either.
True Dat.
One would imagine a AAA pitching coach job with the Yankees has to be one of the top positions in pro ball outside of the MLB.