The archetypal "good-field, no-hit" player, Oyler relinquished the Detroit shortstop
job to centerfielder Mickey Stanley to strengthen the
Tiger offense in the 1968 World
Series. Still, Dick McAuliffe called him "the best shortstop I ever played with."
Seattle fans, feeling Oyler was the Pilot most needy of support, organized the "Ray
Oyler Fan Club" in spring training. Oyler almost ruined it by homering to win the
Pilots' first home game. He was supposed to be an underdog. He ended up filling the
role perfectly, batting .165 as their regular shortstop.
(KT)