Pat Putnam – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Pat Putnam built an eight-year Major League Baseball career as a left-handed first baseman, swinging for the Texas Rangers, Seattle Mariners, and Minnesota Twins. Born in Bethel, Vermont, in 1953, Putnam became a standout slugger. He picked up both Minor League Player of the Year and American League Rookie of the Year honors along the way.

Putnam’s professional baseball career ended in 1984 when the Minnesota Twins picked him up in August. He’d struggled with injuries and his performance had slipped by then, so that move pretty much closed the book on his major league days.

Across 507 games, he finished with 63 home runs and a .255 batting average. His best year came in 1983, when he knocked 19 home runs for Seattle.

Putnam’s journey took him from Vermont’s small-town leagues to peak seasons in Texas and Seattle. His story really does show both the highs and the tough breaks of playing pro ball.

He went from first-round draft pick to rookie sensation, then through some solid middle years, and finally to an early retirement. After leaving the majors, he played two seasons in Japan before heading back to Florida.

Pat Putnam’s Early Life and Path to Baseball

Pat Putnam got his start in a small Vermont village. Then, a childhood move changed everything for his baseball future.

He stood out in high school and college, catching the attention of scouts who saw real potential.

Childhood in Bethel and Fort Myers

Patrick Edward Putnam was born on December 3, 1953, in Bethel, Vermont. Bethel was tiny, with only about 1,000 people.

His dad Robert worked as a salesman in Burlington and coached Pat in the Shelburne Little League.

When Pat was eight, the family moved to Fort Myers, Florida. Robert’s job took them south, and they settled in Fort Myers, where baseball weather lasted all year.

That move to Florida made a huge difference. Pat could play ball all year, instead of sitting out the long, cold Vermont winters.

He got to build his skills without taking months off, which probably helped him stand out later.

Education and High School Baseball

Pat went to Fort Myers High School and kept developing as a ballplayer. After he graduated in 1972, he landed a baseball scholarship to Miami Dade North Junior College.

At Miami Dade North, Pat’s game improved enough that professional scouts started noticing him. After his second year, the New York Mets drafted him.

But Pat decided not to sign with the Mets. Instead, he accepted a scholarship from the University of South Alabama.

That call would shape his career in a big way.

University of South Alabama Years

At South Alabama, Pat played for coach Eddie “The Brat” Stanky. Stanky was a former big league all-star who’d managed the Cardinals and White Sox.

Pat only played one year for Stanky before turning pro. The Texas Rangers picked him 22nd overall in the first round of the June 1975 draft’s secondary phase.

This time, Pat signed with the Rangers. That one season under Stanky seemed to get him ready for pro ball.

Draft and Minor League Development

Pat Putnam’s road to the majors started with two different draft selections. Teams clearly saw his potential early on.

His minor league days were pretty wild, including a triple-crown season and national recognition as the top prospect in baseball.

1974 and 1975 MLB Draft Selection

The New York Mets picked Putnam in the 12th round of the 1974 MLB June Amateur Draft from Miami Dade College. Pat didn’t sign, though. He chose to keep playing college ball at South Alabama.

That decision paid off when the Texas Rangers drafted him in the first round of the 1975 MLB June Draft-Secondary Phase. He went 22nd overall out of South Alabama.

At South Alabama, he played for major league all-star Eddie Stanky. Stanky had managed both the Cardinals and White Sox. This time, Pat jumped at the chance to go pro.

Minor League Success and Achievements

Putnam kicked off his pro career in Class A under manager Wayne Terwilliger, a former Marine and big league second baseman.

At Asheville in 1976, Putnam put up numbers that amazed even Terwilliger, who said, “I’ve never managed anyone like him. He’s the best.”

That 1976 season became legendary in the Western Carolina League. Putnam hit .361 with 24 home runs and drove in 142 runs.

He became the league’s first triple-crown winner.

The Sporting News called him “the most prolific offensive player in the [Western Carolina League’s] history.” He led the league in 10 offensive categories that year.

He played solid defense too, leading WCL first basemen with a .993 fielding percentage.

The Sporting News named him Minor League Player of the Year. He was the first Class-A player to win it since Johnny Vander Meer in 1936.

Performance in AAA and Path to MLB

After his crazy Class A season, the Rangers bumped Putnam up to Triple-A Tucson in 1977. The 23-year-old adjusted well to the Pacific Coast League.

Putnam hit .301 at Tucson in his first AAA season. That earned him a September call-up to Texas. He played 11 games and batted .308, with four doubles among his eight hits.

The Rangers sent him back to Tucson for 1978. Again, Putnam played well enough to get another late-season promotion. That second MLB stint didn’t go as well, as he hit just .152 over 20 games.

Still, Putnam kept producing in AAA, showing he was ready for the majors. But veterans Mike Hargrove and Richie Zisk blocked his path at first base and DH.

Major League Career Highlights

Pat Putnam played eight years in the majors from 1977 to 1984, showing off his power with three American League teams. He earned Rookie of the Year honors in 1979 and had his best season with the Seattle Mariners in 1983, smacking 19 home runs.

Texas Rangers Tenure

Putnam started his MLB run with the Texas Rangers after they drafted him in 1975. He debuted on September 2, 1977, appearing in 11 games and hitting .308 with four doubles.

His breakout came in 1979, when injuries to Oscar Gamble and Mike Jorgensen opened up a starting spot. Putnam stepped up, hitting .277 with 18 home runs, leading the Rangers in homers that year.

The Sporting News and Topps both named him the 1979 American League Rookie of the Year. In the official BBWAA voting, he tied for fourth behind John Castino and Alfredo Griffin.

The next three seasons in Texas didn’t match his rookie year. Manager Don Zimmer once said, “When you talk about Pat Putnam, you have to talk about potential. He’s got the power and the talent to do a lot of things with the bat.”

Zimmer believed in him, but Putnam never turned into the RBI machine the Rangers hoped for. He eventually lost his starting spot to Dave Hostetler, and the team traded him to Seattle on December 21, 1982.

Seattle Mariners and Minnesota Twins Stints

The Seattle Mariners picked up Putnam in exchange for pitcher Ron Musselman. Even though the team lost 102 games in 1983, Putnam put together his best big league season.

With regular playing time, he hit .269 and led the Mariners with 19 home runs and 67 RBIs, both career highs. His teammates voted him the team’s Most Valuable Player, which Putnam later called one of his proudest moments in baseball.

In 1984, Seattle gave the first base job to rookie Alvin Davis. Davis won AL Rookie of the Year and set a bunch of team records.

Putnam struggled, batting .200 with just two home runs in 155 at-bats. After a disagreement with manager Del Crandall, the Mariners sent him to the Minnesota Twins on August 29, 1984.

He played only 11 games for the Twins, hitting .079 before a nasty finger injury ended his major league career.

Offensive Production: Home Runs and RBI

Putnam put up solid power numbers over his eight-year MLB run, even without regular playing time. He hit 37 career home runs during his best years in Texas and Seattle.

His top season came in 1983 with the Mariners, when he drove in 67 runs across 138 games. That was his only year with more than 60 RBIs.

He finished with a .255 batting average over 1,989 at-bats. His 508 hits included 18 homers as a rookie and 19 in his MVP year in Seattle.

Putnam’s left-handed swing worked well in the American League West. The Seattle Kingdome, in particular, seemed to suit his power game.

Defensive Roles: 1B, DH, and OF

Putnam mostly played first base in the majors, showing reliable defense at the position. Back in 1976, he led Western Carolina League first basemen with a .993 fielding percentage.

Teams used him as a designated hitter when they wanted his bat in the lineup but didn’t need him in the field. This became more common as younger players took over at first.

He saw a little time in the outfield, but not much. At 6-foot, 205 pounds, he fit best at first base and DH.

The Rangers, Mariners, and Twins all took advantage of his ability to play multiple spots. Even when he wasn’t starting, his glove and bat made him a useful bench option.

Peak Seasons and Milestones

Pat Putnam’s MLB run included a strong rookie year in 1979 and his best offensive season in 1983 with the Seattle Mariners. He established himself as a consistent power threat at first base.

Breakout Rookie Campaign

Putnam made a splash in 1979 with the Texas Rangers. He hit .277 and launched 18 home runs in his first full year.

That rookie performance earned him some recognition in the American League Rookie of the Year voting, tying for fourth place.

His 18 homers were among the best for first-year players that season. Not bad for a guy still adjusting to major league pitching.

He also drove in 64 runs as a rookie, showing he could come through in clutch situations.

Notable Individual Accomplishments

Putnam’s biggest individual honor was his 1979 Rookie of the Year nod. That fourth-place finish showed he made an impact right away.

He hit double-digit home runs in four different seasons, making power his calling card.

As a lefty, he handled right-handed pitching especially well. His swing matched up with several American League ballparks.

Putnam finished his career with a .255 batting average over eight seasons. He picked up 508 total hits in the majors.

His 63 career home runs and 255 RBIs reflected steady offensive production, especially considering he played in an era loaded with tough pitchers.

Career-High Seasons

Pat Putnam had his best season in 1983 with the Seattle Mariners. He smacked a career-high 19 home runs and finished with a .269 batting average.

That year, Putnam really thrived at the Seattle Kingdome. The ballpark’s short right field seemed to fit his left-handed swing and power style.

He got 469 at-bats that season, which gave him plenty of chances to show what he could do. Putnam took advantage, putting up steady offensive numbers.

In 1983, he topped his rookie home run total by one. That little jump proved he still had some growing left in his power game at the big league level.

But in 1984, things fell off a cliff. His batting average plummeted to .176, and that pretty much ended his time in the majors.

Final MLB Years and Retirement in 1984

Putnam wrapped up his major league career in 1984 after struggling with both the Seattle Mariners and Minnesota Twins. After leaving MLB, he signed with the Kansas City Royals but spent all of 1985 in AAA.

Later Career with Royals and AAA Assignments

After his tough 1984 season, Putnam signed as a free agent with the Royals on February 7, 1985. Spring training was in Fort Myers, which felt pretty familiar since he lived in Florida.

He stayed hopeful about making the roster. “I know the opportunity is here,” he said during spring training. “I know I can still hit.”

During exhibition games, he flashed some of his old power. He even blasted a game-winning three-run homer in one of the early contests.

Still, the Royals didn’t put him on their opening day roster. They sent him to their AAA affiliate, the Omaha Royals.

Putnam spent the whole 1985 season in Omaha. It was his first full year in the minors since his breakout in Class A back in 1976.

That AAA stint pretty much ended his shot at making it back to the majors. At 31, Putnam’s pro baseball days in America were done.

Transition Out of Professional Baseball

After his time in AAA, Putnam’s career took him overseas. He joined the Nippon Ham Fighters in Japan for the 1986 and 1987 seasons.

In Japan, the big 6’1″, 214-pound redhead stood out among his teammates. As a gaijin, he hit 37 home runs and posted a .266 average over those two years.

He finished up his playing days in 1989-90 with the Fort Myers Sun Sox. That team played in the Senior Professional Baseball Association, which was a quirky winter league for retired players over 35.

Playing in the Senior League let Putnam stay close to home in Fort Myers. The league didn’t last long, but it gave some old pros a chance to keep playing.

After finally hanging up his spikes, Putnam stayed in Fort Myers. He started a business called Home Environment Center, focusing on air and water purification.

“Air and water are two things we use every day and it seems to make sense that they should be as clean as possible,” Putnam said in his own Vermont style.

Legacy and Personal Life

Patrick Edward Putnam made his mark with rookie success and resilience on several teams. After baseball, he built a successful business in Florida.

Impact on Teams and Baseball Community

Putnam made his biggest splash during his 1979 rookie year with the Texas Rangers. He led the club with 18 home runs and earned American League Rookie of the Year honors from both The Sporting News and Topps.

His teammates noticed his value beyond just stats. The Seattle Mariners even picked him as team MVP in 1983, even though the club lost 102 games.

Some of Putnam’s career highlights include:

• Minor League Player of the Year (1976)
• Triple Crown winner in the Western Carolina League
• First Class-A player to win TSN Minor League Player of the Year since 1936

Putnam’s play in Asheville in 1976 really impressed manager Wayne Terwilliger, who said, “I’ve never managed anyone like him. He’s the best.”

Earl Weaver once predicted Putnam would win an MVP award someday. That kind of praise shows just how much respect he earned from some of baseball’s top names.

Life After Baseball

After he retired, Putnam moved back to Fort Myers, Florida. He’d lived there since he was eight.

He started the Home Environment Center, which focused on air and water purification systems.

Putnam described his business choice in classic Vermont style. “Air and water are two things we use every day, and it seems to make sense that they should be as clean as possible,” he said.

He never married and kept living in Fort Myers. That city felt like home to him for more than 35 years.

His transition from pro sports to running a business really showed how he could adapt and find success after baseball.

Running the business helped him stay involved with his community. He brought the same hard-working attitude to entrepreneurship that he once had on the field.