Al Oliver: former National League batting champion recalls his home run in the N.L. Championship Series against the Giants in 1971

Baseball Digest, Dec, 2004 by Al Doyle

MY DAD PASSED AWAY THE DAY I FOUND OUT I WAS GOING UP TO THE MAJOR leagues. He had worked in a brickyard for years and got silicosis from the dust in his lungs. I went to his funeral and then on to Pittsburgh to be a major leaguer in 1968.

I'll never forget my first at-bat. I was a pinch-hitter against the Reds--the team I grew up cheering for. Jim Maloney struck me out. He was a hard thrower.

As a young player, I couldn't have done better than to play between (Roberto) Clemente and (Willie) Stargell in the outfield. Roberto was like my dad. He led by example and spoke only when he needed to. Will was more of a prankster. Having two great players on either side made it easier to position hitters and learn how to play the outfield. I even played for Roberto when he managed winter ball in San Juan.

That Pirates team was loaded with talent and good hitters. I was a first baseman, but Bob Robertson was playing there, so I ended up in center. To this day, Bob and I believe that neither one of us should have been platooned, but the Pirates had to do it. They didn't want to trade either one of us.

We won the National League East in 1971 and faced the Giants in the play-offs. We were leading two games to one going into Game 4. We trailed early in the contest, 5-2, going into the bottom of the second. Richie Hebner hit a game-tying three-run home run and the game stayed tied until the sixth inning.

In the sixth, we took the lead when Roberto hit a two-out single to score Dave Cash, who was on second base. The Giants then replaced starting pitcher Gaylord Perry with reliever Jerry Johnson. With Roberto on first, the Giants chose to intentionally walk Starge to get to me--I had struck out in the third and in the fourth with Cash on second and two out, they intentionally walked Starge in the fourth and I popped up to shortstop leaving two runners stranded.

When they walk someone to face you, you want to respond to the challenge. I wasn't successful the first time the Giants used this strategy, but in the sixth against Johnson, who had a good fastball, I was looking for redemption. I hit the first pitch--a fastball--just far enough to clear the fence. The homer gave us three insurance runs, extending our lead to 9-5.

I never felt my feet touch the ground as I circled the bases, I still have the picture of me running the bases that day. That home run solidified oar chances to win the game and get into the World Series, and I'll never forget that hit.

The Series was a great experience, especially at my young age. We were very confident, and the Pirates blended together well. There were no doubts on our club, but there were a lot of doubts elsewhere. That was the year the Orioles had four 20-game winners, and they also had a great lineup.

I had a few hits, but the one thing that stands out is how Roberto carried us on his back. It was something special. He always had so much pride, and he showed the whole world how great he was in that World Series with 12 hits and two homers plus his defense in right. Some people said I didn't have much of an arm, but anyone's arm would look weak next to Roberto's.

I'll never forget that experience. I look at my 1971 World Series ring every day and think of Roberto. When I came up, he knew that I wasn't pleased with being platooned. One day, Roberto said to me "You're going to be one of the best players in this game." Coming from someone who I respected so much, that was some great encouragement he offered.

If someone had told me that it was going to be my only World Series, I would have thought they were out of their mind. The Pirates were a hard-hitting team, and we had good pitching. We were in the playoffs again in 1972, 1974 and 1975, but we couldn't come out on top.

It was an honor to be named to the All-Star team, and I enjoyed going to the games. I played in seven of them, but the 1983 All-Star game was a special honor. That was the year the fans voted me into the starting lineup, and I batted cleanup. I was with the Expos then. Even though the National League lost 13-3, I was touched by the fans voting for me.

There was one other special All-Star game. It was in Milwaukee in 1975. Walter Alston sent me up to pinch-hit in the ninth inning with the score tied 3-3. Reggie Smith was on first, and Alston wanted me to bunt him over.

Johnny Bench told Alston, "Oh, no, you can't have Al bunt. He can hit." I got a double off Catfish Hunter, and Reggie went to third. Bill Madlock got the game-winning hit.

I was traded from the Pirates to the Rangers after the 1977 season. It was difficult to leave Pittsburgh, since I had become a part of the community. Both of my children were born there.

Wherever I'm traveling, if someone calls me "Scoops", I know they're from Pittsburgh. The people there are very friendly. Even when I go back to Pittsburgh today, it's like I never left town.

Al Oliver Background Information File

Height: 6-0 Weight: 195 Born: October 14, 1946 Bats: Left Throws: Left

Current occupation: Oliver makes appearances as a public speaker and at baseball card shows. "I'll speak to anyone who wants to be motivated," he said. "I've spoken to high schools, colleges, businesses and churches. I've also done some individual counseling."