Pattin was selected in the seventh round (127th overall) by the California Angels 1965 Major League Baseball draft.[5] He played in the minor leagues with the Seattle Rainiers for two seasons before being promoted to the majors. He left the Angels via the 1968 Major League Baseball expansion draft and joined the Seattle Pilots, which later became the Milwaukee Brewers in 1970.[6] In Milwaukee, Pattin finished with a 14–12 record and a 3.39 ERA in 37 games (29 starts) in 1970, and was named an All-Star in 1971, when he finished with a 14–14 record and a 3.13 ERA in 36 starts.[2][7]
Sent to the Kansas City Royals in exchange for Dick Drago on October 24, 1973,[11] Pattin divided his playing time between starting and relieving. The Kansas City Star named Pattin as the Royals' pitcher of the month twice during the 1975 campaign, in June as a starter and in September as a reliever.[12] He retired after being granted free agency following the 1980 season.[7]
After Pattin's retirement as a player, he remained involved with the sport as a coach. He was the head coach of the University of Kansas baseball team from 1982 to 1987.[13] Pattin died in his sleep while visiting friends in his hometown of Charleston, Illinois on October 3, 2018.[1][14]
