Flashback Friday: KC Royals outfielder Amos Otis

The KC Royals have a history of speed and defense. This Flashback Friday player highlights both of these aspects in his career of records with the team.

The KC Royals spring training has gotten off to a decent start, with many players making their argument to see their names on the opening day roster. While it’s great to follow along with these games and see the progress the team may make during the 2020 season, let’s take a look back for this week’s Flashback Friday, Amos Otis.

Amos Otis was drafted by the Boston Red Sox in 1965 from Williamson High School in Mobile, Alabama. Shortly after, he was drafted by the Mets in the minor league draft and moved up the ladder quickly, seeing a small bit of time in the majors in 1967.

After spending 1968 in the minors, Otis again found some time with the Mets in 1969, but it was still a short stint. In December of 1969, the Mets traded Otis to the KC Royals along with Bob Johnson for Joe Foy.

Though Otis had played around both the infield and outfield throughout his time in the minors, the Royals kept Otis in the outfield, which proved to be the right choice. From the time Otis was brought on in Kansas City, he was patrolling the outfields on a regular basis.

Otis regularly batted for a decently high average, touching .300 twice and above .280 6 different times throughout the ’70s and combined with his speed, he managed to score a good amount of runs during his career.

Allowing Otis on base was dangerous for opposing teams. Otis was known for his ability to steal bases, reaching 52 in the 1971 season, and often reaching 20-30 in multiple other seasons. Add this to his fielding abilities, and the trade for Otis was one that paid off for the Royals.

Otis started to lose some steam after the 1979 season and struggled with injury at times, but still regularly saw a good amount of time with the Royals. After the 1983 season, Otis was granted free agency and signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Where he finished out his successful baseball career.

In 1986, Otis was inducted into the KC Royals Hall of Fame, and for good reason. Otis ended his career with a slash of .277/.343/.425, 2020 hits, 193 homeruns, 1092 runs, 1007 RBIs and 341 stolen bases.

He made 5 All-Star Game appearances with the Royals, received MVP votes in 5 seasons, and won 3 gold gloves. His name can also still be found in the Royals history books in the top 10 in records like hits, runs scored, stolen bases, triples, doubles, and multiple others.

Amos Otis is a KC Royals player that many fans will remember forever. He is a perfect example of the players that the team likes to employ and an example of what keeps fans, Forever Royals.