Otis came up with the New York Mets in the late 60s, but Mets Manager, Gil Hodges, did not see eye-to-eye with Otis, and he was traded to the Kansas City Royals in a transaction where the Mets clearly got the short end of the stick. Now playing in the Outfield (the Mets wanted him at Third), Otis was a five-time All-Star in the 1970s, and he brought a sweet balance of power and speed to his offense. Otis twice led the American League in Doubles (1970 & 1976), was first in Stolen Bases in 1971 (52), and he had at least 10 Home Runs in eleven seasons. Otis topped the AL in Power-Speed # in 1971 and was in the top ten in ten other seasons. He would also finish in the top ten in MVP voting four times.
Otis' play devolved in the 1980s, and he quietly exited the Majors with a final season (1984) in Pittsburgh. He retired with 2,020 Hits, 193 Home Runs, 1,007 RBIs, and 341 Stolen Bases. Despite Otis’ accomplishments’ he did not receive a single vote when he was Hall of Fame eligible in 1996.
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