"Transition and adversity are two constants as a rookie in the major leagues. Pat Kelly found both to be his close companions in his first year in New York.
Highly regarded as a slick-fielding second baseman in the Yankee organization, the 25-year-old infielder was asked to play third, and did without reservation, but not without adjustments. 1991 was a learning experience.
The departure of former second baseman Steve Sax speaks volumes for the Yankees' confidence in Kelly. Although he must improve offensively from last season (.242), the Philadelphia native stole 12 bases in 13 attempts and possesses outstanding range in the field. His enthusiasm and hustle will contribute mightily."
-The New York Yankees Official 1992 Yearbook
"In 1991, making his debut at the AAA level with the Columbus Clippers, Pat was named the Jack Butterfield Player of the Month for April, hitting .360 with 13 runs over 14 games. He was recalled by the Yankees on May 19. At the time he was hitting .336 (39-for-116) with nine doubles, two triples, three home runs, 19 RBIs, eight stolen bases and 27 runs over 31 games. Though a natural second baseman, Pat made an immediate impact on the team by filling a void at third base for the remainder of the season.
He made his major league debut on May 20 at Cleveland as a second baseman. His first major league hit came in his seventh at-bat, on May 22 at Cleveland, a two-run double off Tom Candiotti. Pat hit safely in four straight games (May 22-26), going 5-for-16 with four doubles. He played third base for the first time on May 26 at Baltimore- in that game he had a game-winning 11th-inning RBI double off Mike Flanagan in a 2-1 Yankee win. For the month he hit .188 (6-for-32) over 10 games, all starts, playing five games at second and five at third.
Pat started 23 of the club's 27 games in June and hit .260 for the month. He hit two home runs in 11 at-bats over three games: on June 7 against Texas off Kenny Rogers (solo) and on June 9 against Texas off Goose Gossage- an 8th inning two-run game-winning blast. Over a seven-game period from June 7-14, Pat hit .400 (10-for-25), raising his batting average from .184 to .257. On June 15 at Texas, he was hit on the right wrist by a Kevin Brown pitch in the second inning and missed the rest of that game plus three more games with a bad bruise. Pat hit .200 (7-for-35) for the rest of June.
He hit .348 (8-for-23) in the first seven games of July, bringing his average to what would be a season high of .258 (2 HR, 11 RBI) at the break. Pat's third homer came on Old-Timers' Day on July 27 off Mike Fetters of California. He hit .232 overall in July, starting 24 of the club's 26 games.
Pat started August with a season-long five-game hitting streak (6-for-18), hitting .245 for the month. He played 11 games in September and was 5-for-24. He left the game of September 14, against Boston, with stiffness in the lumbar area of his back and did not play the rest of the season, missing 21 games. His last hit came in his final at-bat on September 11 at Baltimore. Pat hit .229 (38-for-166) with 12 RBIs after the break.
For the '91 season, Pat had the club's best success rate in stealing bases, with 12 steals in 13 attempts (92%); he led the majors in success rate among players with at least 12 steals. He was one of four Yankees to steal 10 bases (with Steve Sax, Roberto Kelly and Bernie Williams), the first Yankee quartet to steal 10 bases each since 1985. He tied Williams for the club lead in triples (4).
Pat started 91 games, 77 at third base and 14 at second base. When he started at second he hit .286 (12-for-42) and when he started at third he hit .238 (60-for-252). He hit .263 against left-handers, .231 against right-handers; .253 at home, .230 on the road. Pat had three three-hit games and when he scored a run the Yankees were 19-10.
He signed a contract for the 1992 season.
Pat was drafted by the Yankees in the 9th round of the June 1988 free agent draft. He was signed by Yankee scout Joe DiCarlo. That season he spent his first year in professional baseball at Class-A Oneonta and hit .327 and stole 25 bases. Drafted as a shortstop, he was converted to a second baseman by manager Gary Allenson. Pat was named to the New York-Penn League All-Star team as the starting second baseman and helped lead Oneonta to the league championship.
In 1989 he played in 124 games at Class-A Prince William and hit .266 with 21 doubles, seven triples, three home runs and 45 RBIs and stole 31 bases. He was named as the starting second baseman on the Carolina League All-Star team and helped lead Prince William to the league championship. Pat led the league in triples (7) and led second basemen in assists (367) and double plays (67).
In 1990 Pat spent his third season in professional baseball at AA Albany and hit .270 with 19 doubles, six triples, eight home runs and 44 RBIs. He had 31 stolen bases for the second straight season, finishing fourth in the Eastern League. Pat hit .291 at home and .255 on the road. He had a .970 fielding percentage, making six errors in 667 total chances and participating in 97 double plays.
His best monthly batting average was in June, as he hit .346 with 16 RBIs and 11 stolen bases. Named the starting second baseman on the Eastern League All-Star team, Pat excelled in postseason competition, hitting .412 (7-for-17) over five games.
Pat attended West Chester University where he was a four-year letterman in baseball. He was also a regional All-American and was named a first-team shortstop on the ECAC All-Star team. He attended Catasauqua High School (PA) where he was All-State in baseball and All-League in basketball and football. He played Little League and American Legion ball.
Pat enjoys golf, music, basketball and tennis."
-1992 New York Yankees Information Guide
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