Tony Oliva

After moving to the United States in 1961, Oliva played in the minor leagues before becoming a major league regular in 1964. Playing in baseball\'s "second deadball era", he was one of the game\'s best hitters and an All-Star during his first eight seasons. Oliva was the 1964 American League Rookie of the Year, an AL batting champion during three seasons, an AL hit leader five seasons, and a Gold Glove winner one season. After eight seasons in the majors, Oliva\'s career was hampered by a series of severe knee injuries, forcing him to become a designated hitter during his final four years in baseball. He is regarded as one of the best players not inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.\n', '

Oliva was born in Pinar del Río Province, Cuba. He played baseball weekly with his father, brothers, and neighbors in a vacant lot near the family farm. Oliva\'s father, who worked in a tobacco fac…