Books and articles about Gene Oliver

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Oliver had some power, hitting three HR in a game on July 30, 1966. He reached a high of 21 HR in 1965 as the Braves' backup to Joe Torre at catcher and Felipe Alou at first base, a big enough role that he got 392 at-bats in 122 games. His 21 HR on a team with Hank Aaron, Eddie Mathews, Mack Jones, Torre, and Alou enabled the Braves to set a NL mark with six 20-HR men in one season. Oliver was a regular catcher twice, for the Cardinals in 1962 and for the Phillies in 1967 after they traded Bob Uecker to get him. Oliver's career was effectively ended by a 1968 knee injury. (JFC)

FROM THE BASEBALL CHRONOLOGY » September 27, 1962: The Cardinals sidetrack the Giants, 7–4, as Gene Oliver contributes a 3-run home run and Stan Stan Musial goes 5-for-5. » September 30, 1962: Gene Oliver's dramatic 9th-inning home run off Johnny Podres gives Curt Simmons and St. Louis a 1–0 win against the Dodgers and a three-game sweep at Chavez Ravine. The heartbreaking loss for LA forces the 4th playoff in National League history. The Giants won five of their last seven games, but only seven of their last 17, while the Dodgers manage just three wins in their last 13 games. » June 15, 1963: St. Louis trades C/1B Gene Oliver and minor league P Bob Sadowski to the Braves for P Lew Burdette. In 13 seasons with the Braves, Burdette and Warren Spahn won 443 games between them. » September 8, 1963: Braves P Warren Spahn (20-5) ties Christy Mathewson's National League record with his 13th 20-win season by notching a 3–2 victory in Philadelphia. Gene Oliver's 2-run home run in the 8th, off Dallas Green, is the deciding blow. At 42, Spahn becomes the oldest 20-game winner. » September 11, 1964: In a pitching duel between the Braves Denny Lemaster and the Reds Jim Maloney, Milwaukee scores a run in the 8th to win, 1–0. Gene Oliver doubles, the 2nd hit of the game off Maloney, and scores after a double steal and fly out. Leo Cardenas has the only hit off Lemaster. » June 8, 1965: Joe Torre, Eddie Mathews, Hank Aaron, and Gene Oliver hit 10th-inning home runs, as the Braves win 8–2 at Chicago. It sets the major-league record for most home runs in an extra inning. » June 7, 1967: The Phils and Braves swap catchers, with Bob Uecker going to Atlanta for Gene Oliver. » December 15, 1967: The Red Sox trade C Mike Ryan and cash to the Phillies for P Dick Ellsworth and C/1B Gene Oliver.