P. Patrick McKernan

P. Patrick McKernan (April 19, 1941 - July 10, 2001) was one of the pioneers of minor league baseball.

He was President of the Eastern League (AA) from 1974-1982.

He was president and general manager of the highly successful Albuquerque Dukes baseball club from 1979-2000.

Career

P. Patrick McKernan was one of the pioneers of minor league baseball.

He was President of the Eastern League (AA) from 1974-1982.

He was president and general manager of the highly successful Albuquerque Dukes baseball club.[1]

"Pat" McKernan is often credited along with Joe Buzas, as keeping the sport of minor league baseball viable in the pre-Stadium Boom years.

He was a recipient of the John P. McPhail Trophy twice for best minor league executive, making him the only two-time winner. He also won The Sporting News minor league executive of the year on two occasions and was a three-time recipient of the Pacific Coast League executive of the year, in 1981-1982-1991.

He was the head of the AAA expansion committee, placing teams in larger, more populated markets such as Memphis, Sacramento, and Nashville.

Pat garnered national publicity for trying out a female baseball player during the early 1970s, and Bill Veeck once stated that if he were to have another major league team, that Mr. McKernan would be the man he would hire to run the team due to his promotional abilities.

McKernan was immortalized in Roger Kahn's best-selling baseball book, "Seasons in the Sun," where an entire chapter featured Pat discussing the future of minor league ball.

In 1979, Pat became president and general manager of the Albuquerque Dukes, the AAA farm club of the Los Angeles Dodgers and thus began a 21-year success streak, both at the gate and on the field.

Pat was known for his early adaptation to different styles of promotions. He is credited with giving Myron Noodleman his first break, as he was allowed to perform at eight consecutive Dukes games in the early 1990s to practice his craft, after being denied the request to do so at other ballparks.[2]

He is also credited with creating the "Cool Yule" party along with Sen. Pete Domenici to help Albuquerque's disadvantaged youth celebrate Christmas.[3]

The life of Pat McKernan was entered into the Congressional Record after his death.

He is a member of the New Mexico Sports Hall of Fame in Albuquerque, The Albuquerque Baseball Hall of Fame, both in 2000, and the Unico of Pittsfield Berkshire County Baseball Hall of Fame.

Additionally, in 2000, he was named the King of Baseball at the annual minor league baseball meetings.

Pat also received a special award of recognition and blessing from Pope John Paul II, for his charitable works in the Albuquerque community, which was presented to him during his induction into the Albuquerque Sports Hall of Fame.

Pat McKernan died on July 10, 2001.[4]

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References
  1. Belshaw, Jim (35 Nay 2001). "Screen Doors And Baseball". Highbeam Business. Archived from the original on 11 October 2012. Retrieved 10 June 2012. Check date values in: |date= (help)
  2. Belshaw, Jim (16 July 2000). "We Will Miss The Noodlemans". Highbeam Business. Archived from the original on 11 October 2012. Retrieved 10 June 2012.
  3. US Fed News Service (7 November 2007). "Sen. Domenici welcomes a Albuquerque Journal as character counts 'Cool Yule' sponsor". Highbeam Business. Archived from the original on 11 October 2012. Retrieved 10 June 2012.
  4. Editorial (11 July 2001). "Pat McKernan Built Albuquerque Baseball". Highbeam Business. Archived from the original on 11 October 2012. Retrieved 10 June 2012.
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