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Anthony S.I think voters think of Puckett in a different light than Oliva because his career was ended near it's prime (just past) by a bean ball. There have been a of great players whose careers have been adversely effected by knee injuries (Mantle, DiMaggio, Dawson). Oliva only played more than 70 games in a season 11 times in his career. That's a very short career for a potential HOFer whose career didn't end as a result of tragedy, ala Joss or Youngs. Of course, you saw Oliva play, I assume too many times to count, and I didn't, so your knowledge of his abilities far surpasses mine.
Edited to add: If Oliva had played with Frankie "Let's get all my buddies into the Hall" Frisch, he'd be a Hofer already.