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.
- key_achievement
- First Panamanian-born player to lead AL in home runs (1980)
Verified Timeline
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.
In Their Own Story
On October 23, 1973, Oglivie was traded from the Red Sox to the Detroit Tigers for Dick McAuliffe after a slump where he hit .218 with two homers in 58 games. He found his rhythm in Milwaukee, hitting three home runs in a game on three separate occasions during his career. His power surge peaked in 1980 when he broke the 40-home run mark with exactly 41, tying Reggie Jackson for the AL lead. That same year, he finished second in the league with 118 RBIs and 333 total bases. Although he played his final big league game on October 5, 1986, he later attempted a comeback in American minor league baseball. Despite posting great offensive numbers in only two Double-A games, this effort marked the definitive end of his professional playing journey.
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?
- Oglivie was the first Panamanian-born player to lead the American League in home runs.
- 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.