#247 - Gene Oliver Oliver was a career back-up catcher, spending time with the Cardinals, Braves, Phillies, and Red Sox before coming to the Cubs in June of 1968. The card shows him in a Braves uniform.
He is one of the Cubs of 1969 that I don't really remember, probably because he rarely played. Randy Hundley was the Cubs ironman behind the plate, so Oliver only played in 23 games with 29 ABs, starting just twice. He hit a lowly .222 and on September 2, 1969 he was released, but named a coach for the rest of the season. This would help him gain additional time for his pension.
His time with the Cubs was short, but he seemed to have really bonded with the stars of the team. He was a popular fixture at Randy Hundley's Cubs fantasy camps until his death in 2007.
Since Topps didn't show him in a Cubs uniform, it is my duty to do so.
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