However, with All-Star Gene Alley firmly entrenched at shortstop there was a desire on the part of management to convert him into a utility player.

[2] Patek was traded along with Bruce Dal Canton and Jerry May from the Pirates to the Royals for Jackie Hernández, Bob Johnson and Jim Campanis at the Winter Meetings on December 2, 1970.

[3] In his first season with the Royals, Patek hit for the cycle on July 9, 1971, and led the American League with 11 triples to finish sixth in A.L.

[7][8] A durable player at shortstop, he ranks among the Royals all-time leaders in hits (1,076), walks (413), runs scored (571), stolen bases (336), and games played (1,245).

He became the second shortstop, after Ernie Banks, to hit three home runs in a single game on June 20, 1980, against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park.

[11] Community fund raisers and charity events, and a donation from the Baseball Assistance Team, helped the family defray significant medical expenses.