gold star for USAHOF

29. Al Oliver

29. Al Oliver
  1. General
  2. Awards
  3. Career Stats
  • Born: October 14, 1946 in Portsmouth, OH USA
  • Weight: 195 lbs.
  • Height: 6'0"
  • Bats: L
  • Throws: L
  • Debut: September 23, 1968
  • Final Game: October 05, 1985
  • TSN All-Star - 1975
  • Silver Slugger - 1980
  • Silver Slugger - 1981
  • Silver Slugger - 1982
  • TSN All-Star - 1982
  • MVP - 1972
  • MVP - 1973
  • MVP - 1974
  • MVP - 1976
  • MVP - 1977
  • MVP - 1978
  • MVP - 1980
  • MVP - 1981
  • MVP - 1982
  • MVP - 1983
  • Rookie of the Year - 1969
 
ABRHHRRBISBAVG
18098237854864382652168 0.303
 

Signing as an Amateur Free Agent in 1964, Al Oliver first made the Pirates in 1968 and became their starting Centerfielder the year after.  

Oliver tied for second in Rookie of the Year voting and would help the Pirates win the World Series in 1971.  An All-Star the following season, Oliver developed his hitting stroke, batting at least .300 four times, and from 1969 to 1977, always at least 11 Home Runs, peaking with 20 in 1973.  Finishing seventh in MVP voting twice (1972 & 1974), Oliver added two more All-Stars (1975 & 1976), and by the mid-70s, he was regarded as one of the better hitters in the National League.

Despite his success, the Pirates were looking to shake things up, and Oliver was sent to Texas as part of a four-team trade.  Oliver batted .296 with 1,490 Hits and 135 Home Runs with Pittsburgh.

The Bullet Points

  • Position: Outfield
  • Acquired: Signed as an Amateur Free Agent 6/13/64.
  • Departed:

    Traded to the Texas Rangers with Nelson Norman as part of a four-team trade.  The Atlanta Braves sent Willie Montanez to the New York Mets.  Texas sent Tommy Boggs, Adrian Devine, and Eddie Miller for Atlanta.  Texas sent Tom Grieve and a Player to be Named Later (which would be Ken Henderson) to the New York Mets.  Texas sent Bert Blyleven to Pittsburgh.  New York sent Jon Matlack to Texas.  New York sent John Milner to Pittsburgh.  12/8/77.
  • Games Played: 1302
  • Notable Statistics:

    689 Runs Scored
    1,490 Hits
    276 Doubles
    56 Triples                       
    135 Home Runs
    717 RBI
    54 Stolen Bases
    .296/.335/.454 Slash Line
    27.3 bWAR                     

    23 Playoff Games
    8 Runs Scored
    18 Hits
    4 Doubles
    1 Triple                          
    3 Home Runs
    14 RBI
    0 Stolen Bases
    .214/.283/.393 Slash Line
  • Major Accolades and Awards:

    World Series Champion (1971)
    All-Star (1972, 1975 & 1976)
    Highest Range Factor per Game by a Centerfielder (1971 & 1974)
    Highest Range Factor per Game by an Outfielder (1971 & 1974)
Tagged under

Related items

More in this category: « 28. Ray Kremer 30. Jason Kendall »

Comments powered by CComment