Ray Oyler was the ultimate good field, no hit shortstop. He was a defensive whiz with great range, short hands, and was excellent at turning a double play. However, he was arguably the worst hitter in major league history. He played in 111 games for the Tigers in their championship year, hitting .135 with 1 HR and 12 RBI, the lowest ever average for a player who appeared in 100 games in a season. He was benched at the end of the season in favor of Mickey Stanley, who had no prior shortstop experience. (Oyler did appear in 4 games as a defensive replacement.) Overall, in six seasons for the Tigers, Pilots and Angels, he hit .175 with 15 HR and 86 RBI in 1,265 AB, the lowest ever average for a player with 1,000 career at bats. The skinny shortstop was always swinging for the fences despite his lack of ability, accounting for his low batting average but very occasional power. He became a fan favorite with the Seattle Pilots in 1969, with an ironic "Ray Oyler Fan Club" that turned genuine as the season went on. Oyler stayed in Seattle after his playing career, and worked for Boeing and Safeway. He died in 1981.
I have nine of his cards, from 1965 to 1970. I would be interested in trading for 1969 Milton Bradley #NNO.
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