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March 31
⚾ Al "scoop" Oliver March 31
TODAY ON THE DAILY HIGHLIGHT
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March 31, 1982, the Montreal Expos acquire first baseman-outfielder Al Oliver from the Texas Rangers for third baseman Larry Parrish and minor league first baseman Dave Hostetler. Oliver will enjoy a banner season in Montreal, Oliver rapped 204 hits, 43 doubles, 22 homers, 109 RBI, and won the batting title (.331). He led the league in hits, doubles, extra-base hits, total bases and multi-hit games. He finished 3rd in MVP voting.
Hard-swinging Al Oliver won the 1982 National League batting title after having finished in the top ten seven of the previous ten seasons. An outfielder, Oliver came up through the Pirates' organization, joining several other black and Latin ballplayers on the successful Pittsburgh teams of the 1970s. Originally a center fielder, Oliver later switched to first base and designated hitter when he played for Texas in his only stint in the junior circuit. He batted .300 ten times and retired with more than 2,700 hits and a .303 career mark.
FactoidsAl Oliver was the first player to amass 200 hits and 100 RBI in a season in both the American and National leagues.
The Progressive Pirates
Baseball was still battling racial stereotypes in the 1970s. Many people believed that minorities were not suited to be pitchers, for example, because they lacked the intellect. This is the sad truth that still haunts the game today, despite all of the strides made by blacks and Latinos. One team ignored those prejudices, they were the Pittsburgh Pirates. By 1971, as many as half of their major league roster was black or Latino. On September 1, 1971, they fielded what is believed to be the first all-black lineup in the history of the league. Oliver played first base, joining second baseman Rennie Stennett, center fielder Gene Clines, right fielder Roberto Clemente, left fielder Willie Stargell, catcher Manny Sanguillen, third baseman Dave Cash, shortstop Jackie Hernandez and pitcher Dock Ellis in the starting lineup. Pittsburgh won the National League East division that season and went on to defeat the Baltimore Orioles in the World Series.
Post-Season NotesOliver delivered two game-winning hits in the first four games of the 1985 ALCS against Kansas City. The Royals rallied to win the last three games. Oliver batted .375 for the series. Despite success for Toronto, Oliver hit only .228 in 28 post-season games, with 17 RBI and eight runs scored.
FeatsIn Tiger Stadium on August 17, 1980, Oliver collected a double, triple and four homers in a doubleheader against the Tigers, establishing a league record for most total bases (21) in a twinbill.
MilestonesOn August 10, 1983, Oliver collected his 2,500th hit, off Mets' pitcher Carlos Diaz.
TransactionsJune 13, 1964: Signed by the Pittsburgh Pirates as an amateur free agent.December 8, 1977: Traded as part of a 4-team trade by the Pittsburgh Pirates with Nelson Norman to the Texas Rangers. The Atlanta Braves sent Willie Montanez to the New York Mets. The Texas Rangers sent Adrian Devine, Tommy Boggs, and Eddie Miller to the Atlanta Braves. The Texas Rangers sent a player to be named later and Tom Grieve to the New York Mets. The Texas Rangers sent Bert Blyleven to the Pittsburgh Pirates. The New York Mets sent Jon Matlack to the Texas Rangers. The New York Mets sent John Milner to the Pittsburgh Pirates. The Texas Rangers sent Ken Henderson (March 15, 1978) to the New York Mets to complete the trade.March 31, 1982: Traded by the Texas Rangers to the Montreal Expos for Larry Parrish and Dave Hostetler.February 27, 1984: Traded by the Montreal Expos to the San Francisco Giants for Fred Breining and Max Venable. The San Francisco Giants sent Andy McGaffigan (March 31, 1984) to the Montreal Expos to complete the trade.August 20, 1984: Traded by the San Francisco Giants with a player to be named later to the Philadelphia Phillies for Kelly Downs and George Riley. The San Francisco Giants sent Renie Martin (August 30, 1984) to the Philadelphia Phillies to complete the trade.February 4, 1985: Traded by the Philadelphia Phillies to the Los Angeles Dodgers for Pat Zachry.July 9, 1985: Traded by the Los Angeles Dodgers to the Toronto Blue Jays for Len Matuszek.November 12, 1985: Granted Free Agency.After the Rangers acquired Mickey Rivers in 1979 and placed him in center field, shifting Oliver to left, Oliver demanded a trade. The Rangers smoothed over Oliver's feelings and he played two more seasons in Texas.
Game of the DayJune 28, 1970 Chicago Cubs vs Pittsburgh Pirates
Final Forbes Field Game
Did you know?
March 31, 1984 -- On a televised episode of ABC's Sports Beat, Howard Cosell informs interviewee Roger Maris of the Yankees' plan to retire the slugger's number 9 at the Old Timers' Game ceremonies in July. The former Yankee's reaction is at first is disbelief, followed by a genuine pleasure for being recognized for his achievements during his seven years with the team.
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Trivia:
Who hit the last homerun at Forbes Field?
Hint: The answer is below
TODAY IN BASEBALL HISTORY
March 31, 1945 — Vince DiMaggio is sent by the Pittsburgh Pirates to the Philadelphia Phillies in exchange for pitcher Al Gerheauser.
March 31, 1948 -- At Ebbets Field No. 2, the Dodgers play their first exhibition game at Dodgertown in Vero Beach, which will remain the team's home for 61 years. Amidst much fanfare, including Governor Millard Caldwell throwing the ceremonial first pitch, Jackie Robinson homers in the first inning as Brooklyn beats its top farm club, the Montreal Royals, 5-4.
March 31, 1958, the Cleveland Indians and Baltimore Orioles pull off a major five-player deal. In the trade, the Indians acquire Hall of Famer Larry Doby and another player in exchange for outfielder Gene Woodling, pitcher Bud Daley, and utility man Dick Williams. In 1947, Doby had become the first black player in the history of the American League.
March 31, 1968, the Seattle expansion franchise announced that it would be called the “Pilots.” The name originated from the coastal seaport city's association with the airplane industry and co-owner Dewey Soriano's part-time job as a harbor pilot. The Pilots will last only one season in Seattle before becoming the Milwaukee Brewers.
March 31, 1980 - The Montreal Expos trade 1B/OF Rusty Staub to the Texas Rangers in exchange for infielders Chris Smith and LaRue Washington.
Quote of the day:
"When it came to hitting ... all he ever did was crush the ball. Al was the perfect number three hitter because you knew he was going to make contact." - Willie Stargell
MILESTONES
Birthday Boys
Marv Grissom, Gonzalo Marquez, and John Herrnstien
Debuts
Final Games
None Today
Passings
Ken Reitz, Ken Silvestri, Ruben Amaro, and Billy Meyer
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Trivia Answer:
Al Oliver, homered off Milt Pappas in the bottom of the first and future hall of famer second baseman Bill Mazeroski makes the final putout in the last game ever played at Forbes Field on June 28, 1970.
