Bob Oliver
Born: 2/8/1943 in Shreveport, LA, USA
Died: 4/19/2020 in Rio Linda, CA, USA
MLB Debut: 1965-09-10 | Final Game: 1975-07-03
Bats: R | Throws: R | Height: 6'3" | Weight: 205 lbs
Full name: Robert Lee Oliver
Biography
Bob Oliver, born in 1943, was a professional baseball player who made his mark in Major League Baseball from 1965 to 1975. A versatile position player, Oliver played in a total of 847 games throughout his career, during which he recorded 745 hits and hit 94 home runs, contributing significantly to his teams’ offensive efforts. His career batting average stood at .256, and he drove in 419 runs while adding 17 stolen bases. Oliver was known for his power at the plate, especially during a time when the game was transitioning from the more pitcher-friendly eras of the 1960s to a more offense-oriented style in the 1970s.
Oliver's career path included stints with several teams, where he showcased a combination of skill and determination. He emerged as a reliable player who could provide necessary depth and offensive support, making him a valuable asset during his time in the league. Although he may not be as widely recognized as some contemporaries, Oliver’s contributions to the game during his decade-long career reflect the evolution of baseball in the 1960s and 70s, an era marked by the rise of power hitters and the changing dynamics of the game. His legacy endures through the numbers he posted and the impact he had on his teams.
Career Batting Statistics
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 847 | 2914 | 293 | 745 | 102 | 19 | 94 | 419 | 17 | 156 | 562 | 0.256 | 0.295 | 0.400 | 0.696 | 7.4 |
Season-by-Season Batting
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1965 | PIT | NL | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.000 | 0.0 |
| 1969 | KCR | AL | 118 | 394 | 43 | 100 | 8 | 4 | 13 | 43 | 5 | 21 | 74 | 0.254 | -153.4 |
| 1970 | KCR | AL | 160 | 612 | 83 | 159 | 24 | 6 | 27 | 99 | 3 | 42 | 126 | 0.260 | 622.4 |
| 1971 | KCR | AL | 128 | 373 | 35 | 91 | 12 | 2 | 8 | 52 | 0 | 14 | 88 | 0.244 | -678.1 |
| 1972 | LAA | AL | 134 | 509 | 47 | 137 | 20 | 4 | 19 | 70 | 4 | 27 | 97 | 0.269 | 879.7 |
| 1972 | KCR | AL | 16 | 63 | 7 | 17 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 12 | 0.270 | 879.7 |
| 1973 | LAA | AL | 151 | 544 | 51 | 144 | 24 | 1 | 18 | 89 | 1 | 33 | 100 | 0.265 | 147.5 |
| 1974 | BAL | AL | 9 | 20 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 0.150 | 0.0 |
| 1974 | LAA | AL | 110 | 359 | 22 | 89 | 9 | 1 | 8 | 55 | 2 | 16 | 51 | 0.248 | 0.0 |
| 1975 | NYY | AL | 18 | 38 | 3 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 9 | 0.132 | 0.0 |
Fielding Statistics
Career Fielding Totals by Position
| Position | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1B | 423 | 368 | 3367 | 195 | 32 | 323 |
| 3B | 152 | 140 | 128 | 261 | 23 | 22 |
| OF | 224 | 205 | 436 | 21 | 10 | 4 |
Season-by-Season Fielding
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1965 | PIT | OF | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1969 | KCA | 1B | 12 | 8 | 72 | 6 | 0 | 6 |
| 1969 | KCA | 3B | 8 | 5 | 5 | 8 | 3 | 0 |
| 1969 | KCA | OF | 98 | 89 | 199 | 11 | 5 | 4 |
| 1970 | KCA | 1B | 115 | 110 | 1020 | 65 | 8 | 100 |
| 1970 | KCA | 3B | 46 | 46 | 57 | 80 | 6 | 11 |
| 1971 | KCA | 1B | 68 | 44 | 470 | 31 | 6 | 53 |
| 1971 | KCA | 3B | 2 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| 1971 | KCA | OF | 48 | 44 | 94 | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| 1972 | CAL | 1B | 127 | 124 | 1079 | 54 | 7 | 93 |
| 1972 | CAL | OF | 8 | 8 | 12 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 1972 | KCA | OF | 16 | 16 | 45 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 1973 | CAL | 1B | 32 | 31 | 282 | 14 | 4 | 21 |
| 1973 | CAL | 3B | 49 | 48 | 37 | 103 | 7 | 5 |
| 1973 | CAL | OF | 47 | 46 | 77 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| 1974 | BAL | 1B | 4 | 3 | 32 | 5 | 1 | 1 |
| 1974 | CAL | 1B | 57 | 44 | 373 | 18 | 6 | 40 |
| 1974 | CAL | 3B | 46 | 40 | 27 | 65 | 6 | 6 |
| 1974 | CAL | OF | 4 | 2 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| 1975 | NYA | 1B | 8 | 4 | 39 | 2 | 0 | 9 |
| 1975 | NYA | 3B | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
Career Games by Position
| Position | Games |
|---|---|
| First Base | 423 |
| Third Base | 152 |
| Left Field | 15 |
| Center Field | 48 |
| Right Field | 165 |
| Designated Hitter | 17 |
College History
| School Name | City | State | Years Attended |
|---|---|---|---|
| American River College | Sacramento | CA | 1962 |
Award Voting History
| Year | Award | League | Finish | Points Won | Points Max | Votes First |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Most Valuable Player | AL | 27th | 1.0 | 336 | 0 |