Amos Otis facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Amos Otis |
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| Center fielder | |||
| Born: April 26, 1947 Mobile, Alabama, U.S. |
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| debut | |||
| September 6, 1967, for the New York Mets | |||
| Last appearance | |||
| August 5, 1984, for the Pittsburgh Pirates | |||
| MLB statistics | |||
| Batting average | .277 | ||
| Hits | 2,020 | ||
| Home runs | 193 | ||
| Runs batted in | 1,007 | ||
| Teams | |||
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| Career highlights and awards | |||
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Amos Joseph Otis, born on April 26, 1947, is a former professional baseball player and coach from America. He played as a center fielder in Major League Baseball from 1967 to 1984. He was a very important player for the Kansas City Royals. He helped them win their first American League Western Division championship in 1976. He also helped them win their first American League pennant in 1980.
Even though the Royals lost the 1980 World Series to the Philadelphia Phillies, Otis played amazingly well. He had a .478 batting average and hit three home runs. This was his only time playing in the World Series.
Otis was chosen for the All-Star team five times. He led the American League in doubles twice and in stolen bases once. People thought he was one of the best center fielders of his time. He used his speed to win three Gold Glove Awards for his excellent fielding. He is among the top center fielders in baseball history for career putouts. He was named the Royals Player of the Year three times. He is also one of the Royals' all-time leaders in hits, home runs, runs scored, stolen bases, and games played.
Otis also played for the New York Mets and the Pittsburgh Pirates. After he stopped playing, he became a hitting instructor. Amos Otis was honored by being put into the Kansas City Royals Hall of Fame in 1986.
Contents
Amos Otis's Baseball Journey
Starting His Career
Amos Otis was first picked by the Boston Red Sox in the 1965 baseball draft. He was drafted as a shortstop. While playing in the minor leagues, he also spent time in the outfield, at third base, and at first base.
In November 1966, the New York Mets drafted him. He quickly moved up to Triple-A in 1967. He played a few games with the Mets late in the 1967 season. He spent 1968 in Triple-A again before joining the major league team in 1969.
Joining the Kansas City Royals
On December 3, 1969, the Royals traded for Amos Otis. They sent third baseman Joe Foy to the Mets. In return, the Royals got Otis and pitcher Bob Johnson. The Royals immediately moved Otis to center field. He became their main starter for most of the 1970s.
Otis quickly became a star for the Royals. He was chosen for the American League All-Star team in each of his first four years with the team. He also won three Gold Gloves for his great defense. His speed was a perfect fit for the Royals' team style, which focused on speed and strong defense.
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On September 7, 1971, Otis made history. He became the first player since 1927 to steal five bases in one game! That year, he led the American League with 52 stolen bases. Otis scored the very last run at Kansas City's Municipal Stadium on October 4, 1972.
Otis hit as many as 26 home runs in one season. He also had 90 or more RBI three times. He led the American League in doubles twice. He stole a total of 341 bases in his career. Otis was known for performing well in important moments. He was a consistent player for the Royals as they became a team that often competed for championships.
Helping Others
On September 12, 1977, Amos Otis showed his kind heart. A Royals game was rained out, and flooding prevented eight young fans' parents from picking them up. Otis helped these stranded youths. He took them out to eat and then to his house to spend the night. The next day, he made sure each boy got home safely. Otis said, "If it was my kids, I would have wanted someone to do something for them, too."
World Series Performance
In the 1980 World Series, Otis was outstanding. He had a .478 batting average, hit three home runs, and had 7 RBI in six games. In Game 3, he set a record for the most putouts by an outfielder in a single World Series game. He also hit a home run in that game. He is one of only two players to drive in a run in each of his first five World Series games.
Later Career and Retirement
Later in his career, Otis's hitting started to slow down, partly because of a hand injury. His fielding skills also lessened. He eventually lost his center field position to Willie Wilson. In 1983, he left the Royals before the season ended.
On December 19, 1983, Otis signed a one-year contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates. He played in 40 games with Pittsburgh. On August 5, 1984, the Pirates released him.
In his 17-season career, Amos Otis had a .277 batting average. He hit 193 home runs and had 1,007 RBI in 1,998 games. He also stole 341 bases. As a fielder, mostly in center field, he had a .991 fielding percentage and made 126 assists.
After his playing days, Otis worked as a hitting instructor for the San Diego Padres and Colorado Rockies. He later retired and lives in Las Vegas. Otis still attends Royals reunions and plays in alumni games.
See also
- List of Major League Baseball career hits leaders
- List of Major League Baseball career runs scored leaders
- List of Major League Baseball career runs batted in leaders
- List of Major League Baseball career stolen bases leaders
- List of Major League Baseball annual stolen base leaders
- List of Major League Baseball annual doubles leaders
