was relegated to a utility role, actually seeing more playing time backing up Bobby Grich at second base than he did at short. Patek retired after the 1981 season with a career batting average of .242 with 41 home runs and 490 RBIs. Patek was better known for his speed and his defensive abilities; former manager Whitey Herzog called Patek the best artificial turf shortstop he ever managed, ranking him even higher than Ozzie Smith. When asked by a reporter what it felt like to be the smallest player in the major leagues, Patek replied, "I'd rather be the smallest player in the majors than the tallest player in the minors." Although Patek played in four American League Championship Series, his teams never reached the World Series. The Pirates won the World Series the season after Patek left the Pirates (), and the Royals lost the World Series the season after Patek left the Royals (). Baseball analyst Bill James has ranked Patek, a member of the Kansas City Royals Hall of Fame, the 14th best player in Royals' history. Personal life Patek briefly served as a part-time baseball analyst for NBC after his retirement. On July 21, 1992, Patek's daughter Kimberlie was paralyzed from the neck down in a car accident. Community fund raisers and charity events, and a donation from the Baseball Assistance Team, helped the family defray significant medical expenses. Kimberlie died on June 14, 1995. See also List of Major League Baseball players to hit for the cycle List of Major League Baseball career stolen bases leaders References Further reading External links SABR BioProject 1944 births Living people American League All-Stars American League stolen base champions Asheville Tourists players Baseball players from Texas California Angels players Columbus Jets players Gastonia Pirates players Kansas City Royals players Major League Baseball broadcasters Major League Baseball shortstops Sportspeople from Oklahoma City People from Seguin, Texas Pittsburgh Pirates players