Marty Pattin---1978
Before Tony Romo.
Before Kevin Seitzer.
Before Jeff Gossett.
There was Marty Pattin.
Pattin was the original pride of
Eastern Illinois University and
Charleston , Illinois .
While Tony Romo has brought
awareness to the tiny Division I
school three hours due South of
Chicago, those of us who walked the
campus in the 1970s and 1980s only
knew of Pattin.
At 5-11, Pattin was not a big man, but
coming from a tough childhood, he
battled his way through 13 big league
seasons. He survived the inaugural
Seattle Pilots season and Jim Bouton’
s big mouth. He was selected to the
1971 American League All-Star
Squad. He pitched in the 1980 World
Series for the Kansas City Royals.
Before Kevin Seitzer.
Before Jeff Gossett.
There was Marty Pattin.
Pattin was the original pride of
Eastern Illinois University and
Charleston , Illinois .
While Tony Romo has brought
awareness to the tiny Division I
school three hours due South of
Chicago, those of us who walked the
campus in the 1970s and 1980s only
knew of Pattin.
At 5-11, Pattin was not a big man, but
coming from a tough childhood, he
battled his way through 13 big league
seasons. He survived the inaugural
Seattle Pilots season and Jim Bouton’
s big mouth. He was selected to the
1971 American League All-Star
Squad. He pitched in the 1980 World
Series for the Kansas City Royals.
In the end, the all-time strikeout leader for EIU posted 10 or more victories in six of his
major league seasons. He also placed his name in the Royals record book, ranking ninth in
career ERA with a 3.48 mark for his seven seasons with Kansas City .
Not bad for a kid from Charleston .The others have also spoken well for the tiny town.
Romo made headlines on and off the football field for the Dallas Cowboys in recent years.
Seitzer played 12 seasons in the bigs, earning two All-Star appearances and logging a
career .295 batting average. Gossett signed with the Mets to play baseball, but left after
Double-A to pursue a punting career in the NFL, where he lasted 15 years, highlighted by
being named first-team All-NFL and to the Pro Bowl in 1991.
Pattin was also known for his hilarious impersonation of Donald Duck that kept the bullpen
in stitches as related in the book Ball Four. He also is the namesake for a bar, Marty’s, on
the east side of the EIU Campus.
As a decent high school pitcher, my fastball command fell short of being able to make the
Panther baseball nine. For two falls, I practiced alongside Kevin Seitzer for a couple of
weeks, before ultimately being cut.
Unable to make it on the college diamond, I pursued a degree in physical education and
coaching. I eventually coached Stan Royer at Charleston High School , who went on to play
for Eastern Illinois and in the big leagues after being the St. Louis Cardinals No. 1 pick in
1988.
I also took a required swimming class from Jeff Gossett’s dad, who was an instructor at EIU.
I could shoot baskets, run a for miles, play tennis, soccer, badmitton, etc.--- but I could not
(and still can't) swim a lick. Mr. Gossett was kind to me with the “C” in swimming, my only
average grade in a P.E. course, ever. I was so relieved for not drowning in the final exam, I
hoisted a beer in celebration at Marty’s afterwards.
Here’s to you Marty. You are still the pride of Eastern Illinois .
major league seasons. He also placed his name in the Royals record book, ranking ninth in
career ERA with a 3.48 mark for his seven seasons with Kansas City .
Not bad for a kid from Charleston .The others have also spoken well for the tiny town.
Romo made headlines on and off the football field for the Dallas Cowboys in recent years.
Seitzer played 12 seasons in the bigs, earning two All-Star appearances and logging a
career .295 batting average. Gossett signed with the Mets to play baseball, but left after
Double-A to pursue a punting career in the NFL, where he lasted 15 years, highlighted by
being named first-team All-NFL and to the Pro Bowl in 1991.
Pattin was also known for his hilarious impersonation of Donald Duck that kept the bullpen
in stitches as related in the book Ball Four. He also is the namesake for a bar, Marty’s, on
the east side of the EIU Campus.
As a decent high school pitcher, my fastball command fell short of being able to make the
Panther baseball nine. For two falls, I practiced alongside Kevin Seitzer for a couple of
weeks, before ultimately being cut.
Unable to make it on the college diamond, I pursued a degree in physical education and
coaching. I eventually coached Stan Royer at Charleston High School , who went on to play
for Eastern Illinois and in the big leagues after being the St. Louis Cardinals No. 1 pick in
1988.
I also took a required swimming class from Jeff Gossett’s dad, who was an instructor at EIU.
I could shoot baskets, run a for miles, play tennis, soccer, badmitton, etc.--- but I could not
(and still can't) swim a lick. Mr. Gossett was kind to me with the “C” in swimming, my only
average grade in a P.E. course, ever. I was so relieved for not drowning in the final exam, I
hoisted a beer in celebration at Marty’s afterwards.
Here’s to you Marty. You are still the pride of Eastern Illinois .