A line-drive hitter with little long-ball power, Oberkfell twice batted above .300
and was not prone to slumps. A tough and durable player, he averaged 130 games per
season despite knee surgery, a broken thumb, and an elbow
injury.
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Signed as a shortstop,
Oberkfell came up with the Cardinals as a second baseman. Later he moved to third
base to make room for Tommy Herr. His glove proved adequate, as he led the league
at both positions in fielding average. Atlanta acquired him during the 1984 campaign
to replace the injured Bob Horner at third. With Horner mended, the Braves opted
to continue with the steady Oberkfell, moving Horner to first base.
Pittsburgh traded
Tommy Gregg to acquire Oberkfell for the 1988 stretch run; the Giants acquired him
for 1989 and he led the NL with 18 pinch hits.
(FO/JT)
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FROM THE BASEBALL CHRONOLOGY
»June 15, 1984: The Cardinals trade 3B Ken Oberkfell to the Braves for pitcher Ken Dayley and 1B Mike Jorgensen. Oberkfell was leading St. Louis with a .309 batting average.
»June 12, 1988:
Houston's Mike Scott is one out away from his 2nd career no-hitter when Ken Oberkfell singles, and Scott settles for a 5–0 one-hitter against the Braves.
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