Al Oliver, baseball player, 219 home runs, 1968-1985

Al Oliver

Born: 10/14/1946 in Portsmouth, OH, USA

MLB Debut: 1968-09-23 | Final Game: 1985-10-05

Bats: L | Throws: L | Height: 6'0" | Weight: 195 lbs

Full name: Albert Oliver

Biography

Al Oliver was a prominent Major League Baseball player whose career spanned from 1968 to 1985. Born in 1946, he made his mark as a versatile position player, primarily serving as an outfielder and first baseman. Over the course of 2,368 games, Oliver achieved an impressive .303 batting average with 2,743 hits, 219 home runs, and 1,326 RBIs. His ability to consistently hit for average and drive in runs helped establish him as a key offensive player during his era. Oliver's career was marked by his smooth left-handed swing and adeptness at the plate, which earned him seven All-Star selections, highlighting his status among the elite players of his time. Oliver's career unfolded during a transformative period in baseball, transitioning from the late 1960s through the 1980s, an era characterized by a mix of traditional play and the emergence of new strategies. His contributions extended beyond mere statistics; he was known for his clutch hitting and ability to perform in high-pressure situations. In addition to his offensive prowess, Oliver showcased speed on the base paths, totaling 84 stolen bases. His legacy is remembered not only for his impressive numbers but also for his impact on the game, as he carved out a significant place in the history of Major League Baseball.

Career Batting Statistics

G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB BB SO AVG OBP SLG OPS PIV
2368 9049 1189 2743 529 77 219 1326 84 535 756 0.303 0.344 0.451 0.795 21169.2

Season-by-Season Batting

Postseason Statistics

Playoff Career Batting

G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO AVG
28 92 8 21 5 1 3 17 8 14 0.228

Playoff Batting by Year

Year Round Team G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO AVG
1985 ALCS TOR 5 8 0 3 1 0 0 3 0 0 0.375
1975 NLCS PIT 3 11 1 2 0 0 1 2 2 0 0.182
1974 NLCS PIT 4 14 1 2 0 0 0 1 2 2 0.143
1972 NLCS PIT 5 20 3 5 2 1 1 3 0 4 0.250
1971 WS PIT 5 19 1 4 2 0 0 2 2 5 0.211
1971 NLCS PIT 4 12 2 3 0 0 1 5 1 3 0.250
1970 NLCS PIT 2 8 0 2 0 0 0 1 1 0 0.250

Fielding Statistics

Career Fielding Totals by Position

Position G GS PO A E DP
1B 733 694 5904 433 67 499
OF 1376 1351 3136 65 64 14

Season-by-Season Fielding

Career Games by Position

Position Games
First Base 733
Left Field 486
Center Field 840
Right Field 80
Designated Hitter 200

Awards & Honors

Year Award Notes
1982 Player of the Month June
1982 Player of the Week Week of 1982-08-13
1982 Silver Slugger 1B
1982 TSN All-Star 1B
1981 Player of the Week Week of 1981-05-29
1981 Silver Slugger DH
1980 Player of the Week Week of 1980-09-19
1980 Silver Slugger OF
1978 Player of the Week Week of 1978-07-28
1976 Player of the Month June
1976 Player of the Week Week of 1976-06-11
1975 Player of the Week Week of 1975-07-04
1975 TSN All-Star OF
1974 Player of the Week Week of 1974-08-16
1973 Player of the Week Week of 1973-04-20

Salary History

Year Team League Salary
1985 LAN NL $750,000
Total Career Earnings $750,000

Award Voting History

Year Award League Finish Points Won Points Max Votes First
1983 Most Valuable Player NL 19th 3.0 336 0
1982 Most Valuable Player NL 3rd 175.0 336 0
1981 Most Valuable Player AL 16th 8.0 392 0
1980 Most Valuable Player AL 11th 31.0 392 0
1978 Most Valuable Player AL 14th 26.0 392 0
1977 Most Valuable Player NL 16th 9.0 336 0
1976 Most Valuable Player NL 12th 30.0 336 0
1974 Most Valuable Player NL 7th 87.0 336 0
1973 Most Valuable Player NL 23th 6.0 336 0
1972 Most Valuable Player NL 7th 52.0 336 0
1969 Rookie of the Year NL 2nd 3.0 24 3