Speed and defense kept Ted Uhlaender in Minnesota’s starting lineup as a centerfielder from 1966 to 1969. The lefthanded batter led the Pacific Coast League in hitting (.340) in 1965. He led all major league outfielders with a .996 fielding average in 1967, one of his five big league seasons with fewer than three errors. His batting improved, although he was overshadowed by Harmon Killebrew, Tony Oliva, and other hitting stars on the Twins. Traded on December 12, 1969, Uhlaender had two solid seasons in Cleveland. He led the Indians in batting in 1971 (.288), despite announcing his retirement for a time during the season. Traded to the Reds for Milt Wilcox, Uhlaender hit poorly in limited play.
