Hall of Famer Tony Oliva has five seasons with more than 55 multi-hit games in MLB. In the year of his 71 multi-hit games (1964), he set his personal best for hits with 217 to lead the American League, participate in the All-Star Game that season. Of the 217 hits, 84 were extra-base hits 43 were doubles to go along with nine triples and 32 home runs.
The Pinar del Río slugger who was enshrined in Cooperstown last year was an eight time all-star game during his playing days. Oliva was also named the American League rookie of the year in 1964. During his 15 seasons in the big show he hit a robust .304 , belted 220 home runs and drove in 947 runs.
Oliva also won three batting titles (1964,1966,1971) and a gold glove (1966) during his time on the grand stage. Before it was all said and done he collected a total of 1,917 hits and posted and slashed .353/.476/.830 . If not for a consistent knee problems during his career the outfielder would have posted astronomical numbers and might have gotten the call to the Hall of Fame a lot sooner.
Cuban Records in Major League Baseball:
Top 10 with the most multi-hit games in a single season among Cuban players:
1. Tony Oliva – 71 multi-hit games (1964).
2. Tony Oliva – 62 (1969).
3. Rafael Palmeiro – 59 (1991).
4. Zoilo Versalles – 58 (1965). Tony Oliva – 58 (1970). Tito Fuentes – 58 (1977). José Abreu – 58 (2017).
8. Tony Oliva – 57 (1971). Yoenis Céspedes – 57 (2015).
10. Tony Oliva – 56 (1966) Rafael Palmeiro – 56 (1999).