Cards That Never Were #45

1971 Topps - Pat Jacquez

Pat came to the White Sox through a rare trade between the Sox and the Cubs. Dave Lemonds and Roe Skidmore were sent with Jacquez to the White Sox and Ossie Blanco and Jose Ortiz headed north to Wrigley. Pat was the Chicago Cubs fourth round pick in 1967.

Jacquez made his MLB debut on April 18, 1971 in Chicago against the Oakland A's. Pat relieved Tommy John in the fifth inning with two on and one out. Jacquez first faced Bert Campaneris and gave up a single to right, scoring Dick Green from second base. Joe Rudi hit a sacrifice to center, scoring Vida Blue. Pat then got Reggie Jackson to ground out to short, ending the half inning. During the bottom of the fifth, Jacquez batted against Vida Blue and struck out to end the inning.

Pat came back out to pitch the sixth inning. He loaded the bases with one out, when Dick Green stepped up to the plate. Green grounded out to third base for a forceout, but the man on third scored, making the Athletics lead over the Pale Hose grow to nine. An error by Rich Morales, who entered the game in place of Bill Melton, advanced the remaining runners to second and third. This was all for naught, as Jacquez was able to strike out his counterpart, Vida Blue, to end the threat. Pat came back out to start the seventh inning, but could not retire Campaneris or Rudi, allowing singles to each, before being replaced by Jim Magnuson.

Jacquez played his second and final MLB game on April 25, 1971 in Boston. He entered the game in the fourth inning with two on and one out, replacing Wilbur Wood. Pat induced a ground ball back to himself off of Reggie Smith's bat, for the second out. Jacquez was replaced, again, by Jim Magnuson.

Pat was demoted to Tuscon, which was the White Sox AAA affiliate at the time, where he spent the rest of the season. He was traded in December 1971 to the Reds for Jim Qualls, but never again played in the majors.