“There’s no such thing as bragging. You either lie or you tell the truth.” – Al Oliver
I noticed recently that every baseball card I’d ever seen of Al Oliver had him scowling like, well, a pirate, often with a menacing piece of wood in his hands. Maybe not exactly frowning, but he has a serious stone face. In fact, the first nine cards from an 18-year career, his face looks remarkably similar:
Al finally let his guard down around 1976 – maybe he was just excited about the Bicentennial (not!) or he was finally recognized as a top player by Kellogg’s and Burger King in the late ’70s.
Topps, 1976
Kellogg’s, 1977
Topps/Burger King, 1978
But overall, Al stuck to his old ways and looked stoic and pensive, especially in his final card with Pittsburgh (Topps, 1978).
Topps, 1977
Hostess, 1977
Topps, 1978
Hostess, 1979
Topps, 1979
Topps, 1980
Topps, 1981
Kellogg’s, 1981
Donruss, 1981
Fleer, 1981
Something must have changed for Al around 1982: He enjoyed his best season with the Expos at age 35, leading the league in hits (204), doubles (43), RBI (109), batting average (.331), total bases (317), winning the third (and final) Silver Slugger award of his career and finishing third in the MLP voting. For the most part, his cards predicted luck for the coming seasons.
In the mid-1980s, Al returned to his somber roots, probably realizing that time was short and he had more work to do.
By 1985 he had earned a beautiful Donruss Diamond Kings card and looked like a champion: relaxed and talented, even content.
There were three final cards of Al in 1986, although the Blue Jays controversially did not bring him back for that season. For a while longer he smiled effortlessly, perhaps finally able to calm down after all those years of pitching. Well done, Mr. Oliver.
Topps, 1986
Donruss, 1986
Fleer, 1986
I’ve always been a fan of Al “Scoop” Oliver and felt he didn’t get the recognition he deserved – not in Pittsburgh, where he spent the first half of his career, nor as the journeyman he became in the second half. His cards were always of great importance, even though he was never the best player on those Pirate teams, always overshadowed by iconic players like Clemente and Mazeroski, and sluggers like Willie Stargell and Dave Parker, even though he ultimately had more hits (2,743) and a higher career average (.303) than all of those guys except The Great One.
He collected more extra base hits (825) than Orlando Cepeda, Johnny Bench, Cap Anson, Ron Santo, Tony Gwynn, Yogi Berra, Gary Carter and Gil Hodges. He also had more bases (4,083) than Wade Boggs, Carlton Fisk, Rod Carew, Joe Morgan, Joe DiMaggio, Larry Walker, Duke Snider and Mike Piazza. He was a seven-time All-Star and received MVP votes in ten seasons from ages 25 to 36. Isn’t that something? Maybe he lacked power (219 HR)… but he did have more doubles (529) than Frank Robinson, Willie Mays and Ted Williams. And maybe he wasn’t a spectacular gloveman (.980 Fld% as OF, .990 Fld% as 1B, 0 GG), but that cool nickname says he was no slouch in the field.
Over time, Al has probably hidden most of the bitterness from contempt, lack of recognition, and targeted plotting – I certainly hope so. In 1996, it was proven in court that the owners cut him from baseball before he was ready to go, robbing him of twilight years in which he could have reached 3,000 hits and likely induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame. He received a paltry $680,031 settlement for the lost 1986 season…although he planned to play a few more years at DH. And that wasn’t an unreasonable goal considering he hit .301 as a 37-year-old…although his average dropped to .252 the following year, his last. Damn.
Oliver’s Hall of Fame Expos teammate Andre Dawson may have said it best: “Al, as a lifelong .300 hitter after 18 seasons, I think he deserves induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame. There is no doubt that if he had not been forced out of the game by conspiracy, if he had been given a totally fair try to get 3,000 hits, he would have done it. He was thrown out of the game pushed when he was a player. .300 hitter. I think he deserves a place in baseball today.”
Later in life, Al became an ordained Baptist deacon and motivational speaker, intent on helping people overcome obstacles, realize their full potential, and connect productively with others. He continues to give back today and does some of the most important work there is.
While many may have forgotten what Al Oliver accomplished on the diamond, he, his devoted fans and the history books all remember what he did off it. In 2025, the Pittsburgh Pirates also seemed to remember when they finally (and rightly) accepted him into their Hall of Fame, along with Kiki Cuyler and Vern Law.
Al was all business as a player, but he now has every right to sit back and smile. Somehow he will be 79 on October 14 (2025), so move on now – it’s high time – give it up for Mr. Albert Oliver Jr.!
#Oliver #business