Posted By:
tbob<<Tony Oliva the most feared hitter of the 60s? HUH? Anyone ever heard of Willie Mays? Hank Aaron? Roberto Clemente? Frank Robinson? At least for the first half, a guy named Mantle? On his own team, Harmon Killebrew? Sheesh.>>
Since interleague play was not invented in the 1960's OBVIOUSLY AL pitchers never faced Mays, Aaron, Clemente nor Robby (until the Reds traded him at the end of the decade). We are talking most feared HITTER not SLUGGER. Would you rather have a guy with a whole room full of Silver batting chanpion bats come to the plate with the winning run at 2b or Killebrew batting about .265 with all those strikeouts who might hit one out but could just as easily whiff or pop out?
Mantle during the 60's vs. Oliva during the 60's? Mantle did a swan dive after the '63 season. Oliva was clearly better. I am not comparing the 1952-1959 Mantle. I said 60's. You probably aren't old enough to have seen these guys in person. I am and I did. Oliva was the AL answer to Clemente with his rifle arm, speed, reckless play and tremendous hitting. Just as injuries (and his own dissipation) cost Mantle true greatness, injuries kept Oliva from being one of the greatest hitters EVER. I am glad you are so appalled that Oliva was named the most feared hitter in the AL in the 60's but I hardly think you are in a position to know more than the American League pitchers who faced him said he was the best.