Al Oliver—A Fifteen-year "Peak"

 By JT 

Al Oliver was one of my favs. Looking back it seems even I have underrated him. Here is his 15_year "peak" his top consecutive seasons. It spans for 15 years,s quite a long span—

From 1969 through 1983 only Pete Rose and Rod Carew had more hits.

So, in addition to having the third-most hits in MLB during his 1969-83 peak, Al Oliver played the second-most games, the second-most doubles (behind Rose) the fifth most triples, was fourth in runs driven in, hit .305 (good for seventh among those with 5,000 at-bats), and was 13th in fewest strikeout percentage and six of those ahead of him were middle-infielder singles hitters types. In addition, he hit 215 dingers. 

Also, from 1969-83 he was one of two players to have 2,000 hits, 1,000 RBI, steal 80 bases, have 40 triples, and 200 home runs showing power and some reasonable speed and power . . . the other? Bobby Murcer.  

Oliver was consistent in "blue shade" 12 of 18 seasons. Blue shade is seasons getting some sport of post-season honor, silver slugger, All-star game, what have you—

In 1969 Oliver was second in the Rookie of the Year race. 

1972—All-Star

1975—All-Star

1976—All-Star and Second-team All-NL (UPI)

1978—All-AL (AP and UPI)

1980—All-Star

1981—All-Star and Second-team All-AL (UPI)

1982—All-Star, Second-team All-MLB (AP), and First-team All-NL (TSN and UPI)

1983—All-Star