Friday, August 25, 2023

1970'S ALL-DECADE TEAM: A.L. OUTFIELDER AMOS OTIS

OK now!
Today I post up my first American League outfielder of the 1970s, often overlooked and underappreciated Kansas City Royal Amos Otis:


The man just needs to get his due when it comes to top outfielders of the 1970s, and I am happy to oblige!
Otis could very well be THE most overlooked player of the 1970's as he was nothing but steady through the entire decade, going on to be the American League's top run scorer with 861. driving in 90+ three times while stealing 30+ bases five times.
He led the A.L. in doubles twice, steals once, and made five All-Star teams while bringing home three Gold Gloves.
By the time he retired after the 1984 season after one year with the Pittsburgh Pirates, he ended up with 193 homers, 341 stolen bases, 1092 runs scored and 2020 hits along with a batting average of .277 and 1007 runs batted in.
Considering the “dead ball” era of the early-70’s in the American League, his numbers are up there with the best of them, and it’s sad he gets lost among his contemporaries when looking back at that time in Major League baseball.
We can easily put together a top-notch squad of overlooked A.L. players from the era, including Roy White, Jim Sundberg, Toby Harrah and Buddy Bell, who I'd put up against just about anyone else!