During 18 years of playing Major League Baseball, Al Oliver stepped to the plate 9,778 times. Now, he is encouraging everyone else to do the same.
A seven-time MLB All-Star and World Series Champion with the 1971 Pittsburgh Pirates, Oliver now spends his time sharing his experiences and spreading his message.
“My major saying is, ‘Life’s a hit — don’t strike out!’ The bottom line is you can’t be afraid to step up to the plate,” Oliver said. “That applies to everything in life. A lot of people sit in the stands and talk about what can or cannot happen when maybe, if they went to the plate, they might be surprised.”
Since retiring from baseball in 1985, Oliver has spoken to numerous groups including businesses, grade schools, universities, as well as troops overseas. Today he will hold an open symposium at 6:30 p.m. in Walter Hall.
A native of Portsmouth, Ohio, Oliver was a lifetime .303 hitter and three-time Silver Slugger recipient. Oliver played for seven different Major League teams, including the Pirates, San Francisco Giants, Philadelphia Phillies and Los Angeles Dodgers.
After losing his mother at age 11, Oliver’s father died the same day he was called up for his Major League debut. Oliver said he learned from the difficulties he faced growing up and now wants to share what he learned along the way.
“I enjoy what I’m doing now because I do have a message that stems from experiences I have gone through in my life,” Oliver said. “I went through a lot of adversity, so what I’m trying to do now is make people aware that they can make it, no matter what obstacles appear.”
At today’s event, Oliver said he plans to talk about his experience in baseball as well as a few other topics, such as the integration of the game as well as how it has changed since he played.
Oliver said he will also discuss the many Ohio Bobcats he played with during his career, including Hall of Fame third-baseman Mike Schmidt and Bob Brenly, the manager of the World Series-winning 2001 Arizona Diamondbacks.
“Back then, OU had an outstanding baseball program with Bob Wren (as coach). They were strong,” Oliver said. “It’s kind of ironic: I played with Schmidt in Philadelphia the same year I played with Brenly in San Francisco.”
Oliver said he also played against other Ohio graduates, including Terry Harmon, Tom Murphy and Steve Swisher.
Oliver is also familiar with current Ohio coach Joe Carbone.
“I met him right as he was coming in as coach when I spoke at the Green & White banquet. That was the last time I spoke in Athens,” Oliver said.
Throughout his 18 seasons, Oliver said the player who had the biggest impact on his career was Hall of Famer Roberto Clemente.
Clemente, who was just passing the prime of his career when Oliver was called up, served as a mentor for Oliver.
“Playing between Clemente and Willie Stargell made my job in center field so much easier,” Oliver said. “If I had not had Clemente on my team, I don’t know how things would have gone. My dad led me as a human being; Roberto Clemente led me as a major leaguer.”
Despite having much better years individually, Oliver said the 1971 championship season was his most memorable.
“1982 was my best year from an individual standpoint, but winning a world championship will always stand out because we did it as a team,” Oliver said.
Twenty-six years after making his final plate appearance, Oliver continues to instill his message.
“You must be a person who believes in what you’re doing. There are times where you might be discouraged, but that’s part of life,” Oliver said. “You’ve got to go to the plate. The bottom line is you cannot be afraid to succeed.”
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If You Go
WHAT: Open Symposium with Al Oliver
WHEN: 6:30 tonight
WHERE: 135 Walter Hall
ADMISSION: FREE
