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.
