1976 Topps #510 - Amos Otis

• Amos Otis played in the majors from 1967-1984, mostly for the Kansas City Royals. Otis was originally drafted by the Boston Red Sox in 1965. After playing one season in Boston's system Amos was drafted by the New York Mets after the 1966 season. Otis was in the minors for most of the 1967 season and was called up at the end of the season. Amos batted .220 in 15 games for the Mets in 1967.
• Otis was in the minors in 1968. He started the 1969 season with the Mets but didn't get along with manager Gil Hodges, who wanted Otis to play third base. Amos ended up going to the minors for a few months and batted .151 in 48 games. After the 1969 season Otis was traded with Bob Johnson to the Kansas City Royals for third base prospect Joe Foy.
• Otis became the full-time center fielder for the Royals in 1970 and made the AL All Star team (he was 0 for 3 in the game). Amos batted .284 and led the league with 36 doubles in 1970. He stole 33 bases and was caught only twice.
• Amos was an All Star again in 1971 (0 for 1 in the game) and won his first Gold Glove. Otis stole 52 bases to lead the American League and batted .301 with 15 HR and 79 RBI. Amos Otis Does It His Way - September 1971 Baseball Digest. Five Year Plan Works for Otis - June 18, 1971 St. Petersburg Times. In 1972 Amos was an All Star but didn't get in the game. He batted .293 with 11 HR and 54 RBI in 1972.
• Otis started in center field in the 1973 All Star Game and went 2 for 2 with an RBI and a stolen base. Amos finished third in AL MVP voting as he batted .300 with 26 HR and 93 RBI. He also won his second Gold Glove award in 1973. Amos Otis: I'm No Superstar - June 1973 Baseball Digest.
• Amos won his third (and last) Gold Glove in 1974 and batted .284 with 12 HR and 73 RBI. Otis had an off year in 1975 as he batted .247 with 9 HR and 46 RBI. Amos Otis The Royals' 'Mr. Cool' - July 1975 Baseball Digest.
• In 1976 Otis led the AL with 40 doubles and batted .279 with 18 HR and 86 RBI. He also made his fifth (and final) All Star team and struck out as a pinch hitter. Amos batted once in the ALCS and was 0 for 1.
• Amos was less productive in 1977. Otis hit 17 HR  but his doubles total dropped to 20 and he batted .251. He batted .125 in five games in the ALCS. Amos Otis Is a Real Hero to Flood-Stranded Fans - September 18, 1977 Nevada Daily Mail.
• Otis had a nice season in 1978. He was fourth in AL MVP voting and batted .298 with 22 HR and 96 RBI. Amos batted .429 and stole four bases in the ALCS.
• Otis had has last big season in 1979. He batted .295 with 18 HR and 90 RBI. Amos stole 30 bases and was caught five times. Amos Otis: Why Does He Always Get Second Billing? -  April 1979 Baseball Digest.
• In 1980 Otis was injured in spring training and didn't play until May 25. He played in 107 games and batted .251 with 10 HR and 53 RBI. Amos had a great postseason -- he batted .333 in three games in the ALCS and .478 with three home runs in the World Series.
• Amos batted .269 with nine HR and 57 RBI in 1981. He went 0 for 12 in the ALDS. In 1982 Amos batted .286 with 11 HR and 88 RBI. His last year with the Royals was in 1983. Otis batted .261 with 4 HR in 98 games. Amos Otis Fights the Ravages of Father Time - June 1983 Baseball Digest.
• After the 1983 season Otis became a free agent (Amos Otis Falls Victim to Royals' Youth Movement - September 15, 1983 Miami News. He signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates but he wasn't very successful. Amos batted .165 in 40 games and was released on August 5.
• Amos played in the Senior Professional Baseball Association in 1989 and batted .332 with 11 HR.
• Here is an interview with Amos Otis.
• Liked to face: Jackie Brown (.565 in 23 AB); Don Aase (.542 in 24 AB); Ross Grimsley (.500 in 26 AB)
• Hated to face: Lloyd Allen (.000 in 13 AB); Bob Stanley (.097 in 31 AB); Doc Medich (.119 in 67 AB)