Ben Oglivie
The Panamanian left fielder who became the first Panamanian-born player to lead the American League in home runs.
Benjamin Ambrosio Oglivie, known as Ben Oglivie, is a Panamanian former professional baseball left fielder who played for the Milwaukee Brewers from 1978 through 1986. A left-handed batter and thrower, he made his Major League debut with the Boston Red Sox in 1971 before joining Detroit and eventually Milwaukee. His time with the Brewers featured a historic 1980 season where he hit 41 home runs, tying for the American League lead and becoming the first Panamanian-born player to top the AL in that category. Over his entire 16-year career, he accumulated 235 home runs and 901 RBIs.
Quick Facts
- Position
- Left fielder
- Bats
- Left
- Born
- 11 February 1949
- Birthplace
- Colón, Panama
- Debut league
- MLB
- Debut date
- September 4
- Debut year
- 1971
- Debut team
- Boston Red Sox
Lore & Background
Oglivie was acquired by the Brewers from the Tigers for Jim Slaton and a player to be named later (Rich Folkers) on December 9, 1977, beginning a long tenure with Milwaukee. He was known for his gentlemanly character and deep respect among teammates. In one memorable incident following a loss, after making a mistake that disappointed him, his teammates playfully threw him into a clubhouse bathtub. Oglivie joined them in the bath, moved by the gesture of acceptance without discrimination. While he never won a Gold Glove Award, he was a prolific defender in left field, known for his reliable glove and consistent play.
Reader's Guide
Ben Oglivie's path to Milwaukee began after stints with Boston and Detroit. He played 1,754 Major League games over 16 seasons, recording a .273 batting average, 277 doubles, 87 stolen bases, and 784 runs scored. His offensive production included 1,615 hits in 5,913 at-bats and 560 bases on balls. Beyond his playing days, Oglivie transitioned into coaching for various organizations including Milwaukee, Pittsburgh, San Diego, Tampa Bay, and Detroit. He joined the Padres' MLB staff for one season in 2000. In February 2012, he was inducted into the Latino Baseball Hall of Fame as part of the class representing Panama, joining players from Puerto Rico, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Mexico, and Venezuela.
Did You Know?
- He hit three home runs in a single game on two separate occasions during his career.
- Despite never winning a Gold Glove, he was a steady and respected left fielder throughout his Brewers tenure.
- In 2012, he was one of six post-1959 players inducted into the Latino Baseball Hall of Fame.
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