Former major league baseball player, Al Oliver, visited Ashland University Wednesday night for a Black History Month program.

AU Athletics, Institutional Diversity, Brothers in Action and Black Student Alliance sponsored the program. 

Oliver was a MLB left-handed thrower and hitter, played in the outfield and first base from 1968-1985.

He was born in Portsmouth, Ohio, attended Kent State University and signed with the Pittsburg Pirates as an undrafted free agent in 1964, making his major league debut only four years later.

After spending nine years with the Pirates, Oliver was traded to the Texas Rangers where he spent four seasons. Between his years with the Pirates and the Rangers, Oliver made a total of five All-Star appearances. 

Following his four year with the Rangers he was traded again to the Montreal Expos, where he was also made the All-Star for two more seasons. 

Oliver’s career wound down with the San Francisco Giants and Philadelphia Phillies in 1984, and the Los Angeles Dodgers and Toronto Blue Jays in 1985.

Throughout his 18 seasons in the MLB, Oliver hit .303 with 219 home runs, 529 doubles, 77 triples, 1,189 runs scored, 1,326 RBIs and a .795 on-base plus slugging.

Oliver played in 28 postseason games with the Pirates and Blue Jays, winning a World Series title with Pittsburgh in 1971.

“Baseball has given me many great opportunities,” said Oliver. “I have met great people that I never thought I would be able to meet and I have gotten to travel to 20 countries and go places to motivate people and most of those people ended up motivating me.”

Oliver began his speech talking about how he lost his parents at a very young age. His mother passed away when he was 11 and his father when he was 20. His father’s passing happened on the same day Oliver found out he had made it to the MLB. Neither his mother nor father were ever able to watch him play in an MLB game.

Without having any parental figures in his life, Oliver looked up to Major League right fielder, Roberto Clemente, who became his mentor and father figure.

Clemente was one of the best players of his time and won the World Series with Oliver by his side during his time with the Pittsburg Pirates in 1971.

Oliver claimed throughout his life, through all his success individually and with his teams, he is most proud of his parents and the way he was raised.

“I am lucky to have had the parents that I had,” said Oliver. “Without their guidance, I do not know where I would be. I was raised on a good foundation and when you are raised on a good foundation, you know how to get back on the highway if you slip.”

Oliver, who spends his life public speaking, was brought to Ashland by numerous associations within the university. His message reaches far beyond just those student athletes on campus, but to the entire student body at AU. 

“Having him here is a huge impact,” said Director of Student Conduct Jonathan Locust. “You have a person who played major league sports in the 60’s when racism was at its high and out of anybody who may have a chip on their shoulder for the things they have been through race wise, he still was able to see past color and that it so important.”

While on campus, Oliver also spoke with the AU baseball program as they are approaching their season. 

“It was really good for our team because we are so close to starting our season,” said junior catcher Adam Vasil. “It gave me a newfound boost of energy and confidence. As a junior, there is a lot of weight on my shoulders to be successful but he emphasized confidence, trusting in our abilities and the rest will happen with your team behind you.”

Oliver concluded the program by telling the audience that God does not want us to fall and he does not want us to fail. He believes we are all human beings and it does not make a difference what we look like because in the end, we all got here in the same way and we will all leave in the same way. 

“Love one another,” said Oliver. “If we do that, we are all going to make this world a better place together.”