Tony Oliva Autographs, Memorabilia & Collectibles
TONY OLIVA
Born: July 20, 1938 in Pinar del Rio, Cuba
Tony Oliva
This article was written by Peter C. Bjarkman and is presented in part, courtesy of the Society for American Baseball Research
Tony Oliva stands at the forefront of an exceedingly select group – one that also includes Tany (Atanasio) Pérez, Rafael Palmeiro and Orestes “Minnie” Miñoso. These are the few unrivaled candidates for recognition as the greatest major league hitter ever to emigrate to the professional big time from the baseball-rich island nation of Cuba. Palmeiro (with 569 long balls in 2,831 games) and Pérez (379 in 2,777 games) far outstripped Oliva (202 in 1,676 games) in big league career homers; Miñoso (playing 159 more games) also would register a marginally more lofty career base hits total (1,963 to 1,917). But Oliva was the only one of the stellar quartet to claim a league batting title (which he did on three occasions); five different times Oliva also paced a big league circuit in base hits, a feat never achieved by Pérez and accomplished only once by Miñoso and Palmeiro. And only Oliva retired with a lifetime batting average above the .300 high-water mark.
If raw career power numbers amassed by the other three (and also by José Canseco, with 462 homers and 1,407 RBI) notably outstrip those in Oliva’s resume, an easy explanation is found in the significant differences in total seasons and total games logged on the big league diamond. Reduce the career of each Cuban star to a single 162-game lifetime average, and the differences between them become rather too close to adequately distinguish one from the other. Oliva leads the pack in two categories (185 hits and a .304 BA); his 21-per-year average for round trippers nearly matches Pérez (at 22) and is outdistanced only by Palmeiro (at 33); his 92 yearly RBI average total edges Miñoso (90), essentially equals Pérez (96), and lags behind only Palmeiro (105).
But such thumbnail comparisons somewhat blunt the true significance of Tony Oliva’s near-Hall-of-Fame-stature career. While the Pinar del Río native may remain without an official plaque hung in Cooperstown, his place in diamond history will nonetheless always be easily assured by a memorable collection of early-1960s pioneering awards and achievements. He was the first among his fellow Cuban countrymen to win a big league batting title and perhaps even more significantly the first big leaguer (Latino or otherwise) ever to capture batting crowns in his initial two seasons. To add some further luster, Oliva was also the first Cuban to earn Rookie of the Year plaudits in the majors. Among the long list of stellar Latin American imports, only Venezuela’s Luis Aparicio (1956) and Puerto Rico’s Orlando Cepeda (1958) preceded Oliva in claiming the big league top rookie award. And before 1964 (when Oliva topped the junior circuit and Puerto Rico’s R oberto Clemente also paced the senior circuit), only Mexico’s Roberto Avila (1954) and Clemente (1961) among Latinos stars had ever walked off with either an American League or National League batting crown.
Interested in Baseball? If so, we strongly recommend that you visit and join the Society for American Baseball Research
This article was written by Peter C. Bjarkman and is presented in part, courtesy of the Society for American Baseball Research
Tony Oliva stands at the forefront of an exceedingly select group – one that also includes Tany (Atanasio) Pérez, Rafael Palmeiro and Orestes “Minnie” Miñoso. These are the few unrivaled candidates for recognition as the greatest major league hitter ever to emigrate to the professional big time from the baseball-rich island nation of Cuba. Palmeiro (with 569 long balls in 2,831 games) and Pérez (379 in 2,777 games) far outstripped Oliva (202 in 1,676 games) in big league career homers; Miñoso (playing 159 more games) also would register a marginally more lofty career base hits total (1,963 to 1,917). But Oliva was the only one of the stellar quartet to claim a league batting title (which he did on three occasions); five different times Oliva also paced a big league circuit in base hits, a feat never achieved by Pérez and accomplished only once by Miñoso and Palmeiro. And only Oliva retired with a lifetime batting average above the .300 high-water mark.
If raw career power numbers amassed by the other three (and also by José Canseco, with 462 homers and 1,407 RBI) notably outstrip those in Oliva’s resume, an easy explanation is found in the significant differences in total seasons and total games logged on the big league diamond. Reduce the career of each Cuban star to a single 162-game lifetime average, and the differences between them become rather too close to adequately distinguish one from the other. Oliva leads the pack in two categories (185 hits and a .304 BA); his 21-per-year average for round trippers nearly matches Pérez (at 22) and is outdistanced only by Palmeiro (at 33); his 92 yearly RBI average total edges Miñoso (90), essentially equals Pérez (96), and lags behind only Palmeiro (105).
But such thumbnail comparisons somewhat blunt the true significance of Tony Oliva’s near-Hall-of-Fame-stature career. While the Pinar del Río native may remain without an official plaque hung in Cooperstown, his place in diamond history will nonetheless always be easily assured by a memorable collection of early-1960s pioneering awards and achievements. He was the first among his fellow Cuban countrymen to win a big league batting title and perhaps even more significantly the first big leaguer (Latino or otherwise) ever to capture batting crowns in his initial two seasons. To add some further luster, Oliva was also the first Cuban to earn Rookie of the Year plaudits in the majors. Among the long list of stellar Latin American imports, only Venezuela’s Luis Aparicio (1956) and Puerto Rico’s Orlando Cepeda (1958) preceded Oliva in claiming the big league top rookie award. And before 1964 (when Oliva topped the junior circuit and Puerto Rico’s R oberto Clemente also paced the senior circuit), only Mexico’s Roberto Avila (1954) and Clemente (1961) among Latinos stars had ever walked off with either an American League or National League batting crown.
Interested in Baseball? If so, we strongly recommend that you visit and join the Society for American Baseball Research
2000-ESPN-SportsCentury (in person), 2000-When-It-Was-a-Game-3 (in person), 1970-1970-American-League-Championship-Series (in person), 1968-1968-MLB-All-Star-Game (in person), 1966-1966-MLB-All-Star-Game (in person), 1993-Crime-Patrol (Performer), 2010-2011-Prime-9 (in person), 1965-1965-World-Series (in person), 1965-1965-MLB-All-Star-Game (in person), 1970-1970-MLB-All-Star-Game (in person), 1967-1967-MLB-All-Star-Game (in person), 1964-1964-MLB-All-Star-Game (in person), 2006-DHL-Presents-Major-League-Baseball-Hometown-Heroes (Other), 2000-Going-the-Distance (Performer), 1969-1969-American-League-Championship-Series (in person)
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TONY OLIVA - AUTOGRAPH NOTE SIGNED WITH CO-SIGNERS - HFSID 159671Autograph notes signed by Tony Oliva and Sandy Valdespino read, "To David/Best Wishes/from/Tony Oliva" and "Best wishes to Dabie/Sandy Valdespino". The notes are printed on letterhead from the Office of the Vice President, Washington.Price: $80.00
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TONY OLIVA - AUTOGRAPH SENTIMENT SIGNED - HFSID 68270Index card containing a handwritten sentiment signed by Tony Oliva reads, "Best of luck/Tony Oliva". Oliva, an 8-time All-Star and AL Rookie of the Year, played 15 seasons with the Minnesota Twins, achieving a .304 career average.
Price: $90.00
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TONY OLIVA - AUTOGRAPHED SIGNED BASEBALL - HFSID 270034Baseball signed: "Tony Oliva". This official Rawlings American League baseball is autographed by Tony Oliva, a notable player for the Minnesota Twins, recognized for his achievements including the 1964 American League Rookie of the Year.
Price: $120.00
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TONY OLIVA - AUTOGRAPHED SIGNED BASEBALL - HFSID 270048Baseball signed: "Tony Oliva". Official Rawlings American League baseball, signed by Tony Oliva, who played 15 seasons with the Minnesota Twins and won multiple awards, including the 1964 American League Rookie of the Year.
Sale Price $105.00
$120.00
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CURT FLOOD - AUTOGRAPHED SIGNED BASEBALL WITH CO-SIGNERS - HFSID 291297Baseball signed by 17 players, including Hall of Famers Robin Roberts, Joe Torre, Lou Brock, and Bob Gibson. Signatures include "Rick Bosetti", "Al Oliver", "Curt Flood", and more. Imprinted with Toronto Blue Jays logo.
Price: $800.00
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CURT FLOOD - AUTOGRAPHED SIGNED BASEBALL WITH CO-SIGNERS - HFSID 291298Baseball signed by 24 players from the 1950s to the 1980s, including Hall of Famers like Lou Brock and Joe Torre, with notable signers such as Bob Gibson and Bob Feller. Signatures are light but legible.
Price: $800.00
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CURT FLOOD - AUTOGRAPHED SIGNED BASEBALL WITH CO-SIGNERS - HFSID 292985Baseball signed by 20 Major League ballplayers from the 1960s and 1970s, including Orlando Cepeda (sweet spot), Curt Flood, Bob Gibson, and others, authenticated by PSA/DNA. Signed with various pens during possibly Spring Training.
Price: $500.00
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CURT FLOOD - AUTOGRAPHED SIGNED BASEBALL WITH CO-SIGNERS - HFSID 297447Baseball signed by 22 players, including Hall of Famers Robin Roberts, Lou Brock, Brooks Robinson, and Bob Gibson. Signatures include Hector Torres, Curt Flood, Mike Torrez, Tony Oliva, and others.
Price: $500.00
