Amos Otis
Encyclopedia
Amos Joseph Otis is a former center fielder
in Major League Baseball
who played for the New York Mets
(1967, 1969), Kansas City Royals
(1970–1983) and Pittsburgh Pirates
(1984). He batted and threw right-handed.
in 1965 as a shortstop
. However, he put in some time in the outfield, third base
, and first base
while playing in the minors. In November 1966, the Mets drafted him and jumped him all the way to Class AAA for 1967. He saw some time with the Mets late in the 1967 season, but spent 1968 in AAA again before making the major league roster for 1969. The Mets recognized his potential, so much so that when the Braves asked for Otis when trying to trade Joe Torre
, the Mets refused and Torre wound up going to the St. Louis Cardinals
instead.
However, Otis immediately clashed with Mets manager Gil Hodges
, who tried to make him a third baseman. After only four games, Otis was sent back to the minors for a month. At the end of the season, Royals general manager Cedric Tallis
sent seemingly hot third base prospect Joe Foy
to the Mets, in exchange for the young Otis.
The deal turned out to be an epoch-making deal for the Royals, as well as one of the worst trades in Mets history. Foy was bogged by drug problems and was out of baseball by 1971. Meanwhile, the Royals immediately moved Otis to center field, and he became the club rock at that position for most of the 1970s. He made the American League all-star team each of his first four years with the team and won three Gold Gloves. His good speed worked well with the Royals' team philosophy of speed and defense. On September 7, 1971, he became the first player since 1927 to steal five bases in one game. He led the American League with 52 stolen bases that year.
On September 18, 1977, Otis helped out 8 youths who were stranded after a Royals game had been rained out when flooding had prevented the boys' parents picking them up. "If it was my kids," Otis said, "I would have wanted someone to do something for them, too." [2]
By the late 1970s and early 1980s, his fielding skills had declined somewhat, and he lost his center field job to Willie Wilson
. He was still an important contributor, though, hitting .478 with 3 home runs and 7 runs batted in the 1980 World Series
. He spent a short time back in the National League
with the Pittsburgh Pirates at the end of his career.
In a 17-season career, Otis posted a .277 batting average
, with 193 home run
s and 1,007 RBI
in 1,998 games
while stealing 341 bases.
Center fielder
A center fielder, abbreviated CF, is the outfielder in baseball who plays defense in center field – the baseball fielding position between left field and right field...
in Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
who played for the New York Mets
New York Mets
The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
(1967, 1969), Kansas City Royals
Kansas City Royals
The Kansas City Royals are a Major League Baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Royals are a member of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From 1973 to the present, the Royals have played in Kauffman Stadium...
(1970–1983) and Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
(1984). He batted and threw right-handed.
Professional baseball career
Otis was initially drafted by the Boston Red SoxBoston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
in 1965 as a shortstop
Shortstop
Shortstop, abbreviated SS, is the baseball fielding position between second and third base. Shortstop is often regarded as the most dynamic defensive position in baseball, because there are more right-handed hitters in baseball than left-handed hitters, and most hitters have a tendency to pull the...
. However, he put in some time in the outfield, third base
Third baseman
A third baseman, abbreviated 3B, is the player in baseball whose responsibility is to defend the area nearest to third base — the third of four bases a baserunner must touch in succession to score a run...
, and first base
First baseman
First base, or 1B, is the first of four stations on a baseball diamond which must be touched in succession by a baserunner in order to score a run for that player's team...
while playing in the minors. In November 1966, the Mets drafted him and jumped him all the way to Class AAA for 1967. He saw some time with the Mets late in the 1967 season, but spent 1968 in AAA again before making the major league roster for 1969. The Mets recognized his potential, so much so that when the Braves asked for Otis when trying to trade Joe Torre
Joe Torre
Joseph Paul Torre is a former American professional baseball player and manager who currently serves as Major League Baseball’s Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations. A nine-time All-Star, he played in Major League Baseball as a catcher, first baseman and a third baseman for the...
, the Mets refused and Torre wound up going to the St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
instead.
However, Otis immediately clashed with Mets manager Gil Hodges
Gil Hodges
Gilbert Ray Hodges was an American Major League Baseball first baseman and manager. During an 18-year baseball career, he played in 1943 and from 1947–63, spending most of his career with the Brooklyn and Los Angeles Dodgers...
, who tried to make him a third baseman. After only four games, Otis was sent back to the minors for a month. At the end of the season, Royals general manager Cedric Tallis
Cedric Tallis
Cedric Tallis was an American executive in Major League Baseball who served as the first general manager of the expansion Kansas City Royals and later played an important role in the New York Yankees' dynasty of the late 1970s....
sent seemingly hot third base prospect Joe Foy
Joe Foy
Joseph Anthony "Joe" Foy was a Major League Baseball third baseman.-Boston Red Sox:Born in New York City, Foy was signed as an amateur free agent by the Minnesota Twins in 1962, but was selected in that year's minor league draft by the Boston Red Sox...
to the Mets, in exchange for the young Otis.
The deal turned out to be an epoch-making deal for the Royals, as well as one of the worst trades in Mets history. Foy was bogged by drug problems and was out of baseball by 1971. Meanwhile, the Royals immediately moved Otis to center field, and he became the club rock at that position for most of the 1970s. He made the American League all-star team each of his first four years with the team and won three Gold Gloves. His good speed worked well with the Royals' team philosophy of speed and defense. On September 7, 1971, he became the first player since 1927 to steal five bases in one game. He led the American League with 52 stolen bases that year.
On September 18, 1977, Otis helped out 8 youths who were stranded after a Royals game had been rained out when flooding had prevented the boys' parents picking them up. "If it was my kids," Otis said, "I would have wanted someone to do something for them, too." [2]
By the late 1970s and early 1980s, his fielding skills had declined somewhat, and he lost his center field job to Willie Wilson
Willie Wilson (baseball player)
Willie James Wilson is a former Major League Baseball player for the Kansas City Royals, Oakland Athletics, and Chicago Cubs. He was an outfielder known for his speed and ability as an effective leadoff hitter....
. He was still an important contributor, though, hitting .478 with 3 home runs and 7 runs batted in the 1980 World Series
1980 World Series
-Game 1:Tuesday, October 14, 1980 at Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia, PennsylvaniaThe Royals jumped on Philly rookie starter Bob Walk early with a pair of two run bombs—one by Amos Otis in the second and another by Willie Aikens in the third...
. He spent a short time back in the National League
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...
with the Pittsburgh Pirates at the end of his career.
In a 17-season career, Otis posted a .277 batting average
Batting average
Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball that measures the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters. The two statistics are related in that baseball averages are directly descended from the concept of cricket averages.- Cricket :...
, with 193 home run
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
s and 1,007 RBI
Run batted in
Runs batted in or RBIs is a statistic used in baseball and softball to credit a batter when the outcome of his at-bat results in a run being scored, except in certain situations such as when an error is made on the play. The first team to track RBI was the Buffalo Bisons.Common nicknames for an RBI...
in 1,998 games
Games played
Games played is a statistic used in team sports to indicate the total number of games in which a player has participated ; the statistic is generally applied irrespective of whatever portion of the game is contested.-Baseball:In baseball, the statistic applies also to players who, prior to a game,...
while stealing 341 bases.
See also
- List of major league players with 2,000 hits
- List of Major League Baseball players with 1000 runs
- List of Major League Baseball players with 1000 RBI
- List of Major League Baseball leaders in career stolen bases
- List of Major League Baseball stolen base champions
- List of Major League Baseball doubles champions