Gene Oliver ✝

Oliver was from Moline, Illinois. He was a regular catcher for the Cardinals in 1962 and the Phillies in 1967, but most of his career he served as a back-up. Oliver had a strong arm and was good at blocking the plate. As a batter, he had some power and decent speed for a catcher.\n', ' In 1965, Oliver reached a high-career mark of 21 home runs with the Milwaukee Braves, enabling the team to set a National League record with six 20-HR hitters in one season. On June 8 of that year, Torre, Mathews, Aaron and Oliver hit 10th-inning home runs in a Braves victory over the Cubs, setting a major league record for most home runs in an extra-inning game.\n', ' The Phillies and Braves switched catchers in 1967, with Bob Uecker going to Atlanta. After the trade, Oliver suffered a severe knee injury that shortened his career.\n', '