The speedy five foot eleven Otis was originally signed by the Boston Red Sox as a short stop in the 5th round of the 1965 draft. He was sent to the Appalachian League that same year, where he batted .329.
In 1966 he was the New York Penn. Leagues All Star first baseman, playing for A ball Oneonta. That same year the New York Mets Player of development, Whitey Herzog who was running a highly talented farm system, managed to draft Otis away from Boston.
He got a September call up making his MLB debut as a New York Met, pinch running for Tommy Davis at Shea Stadium in a game against the St. Louis Cardinals.
The next night he came in to play third base and then struck out looking against Jack Lamabe in his first career at bat. Otis went hitless in his first seven games, and then on September 14th in Atlanta, he got the start in centerfield going 3-4 against the Braves. He was thrown out twice trying to steal his first two bases that same night. He hit safely in six games and finished the year batting .220 (13-59) with one RBI.

But by now he was evolving into a swift footed outfielder and it turned out to be a horrible decision. Still, the Mets were so high on Otis that they refused a trade to acquire Joe Torre from Atlanta whom they had been after for a long while.
In 1969 Otis had a good Spring Training & made the team out of Florida. On Opening Day he came into the game late, getting a 9th inning single in the Mets five run 9th inning against the Montreal Expos.
Otis clashed with manager Gil Hodges because he thought although he was struggling he was the best outfielder the team. He didn’t want to learn how to play third base. He soon found himself on the bench, then in the minors by June.
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Quotes: Amos Otis –“I was a shortstop originally and played all positions in high school. The Mets wanted me to play third base. In 1969 they had Cleon Jones, Tommie Agee, and Ron Swoboda in the outfield.
I was supposed to be the Opening Day third baseman that year but Gil Hodges, the Mets manager, thought that I would be too nervous and I didn't play. I really wanted to play centerfield, not third because I had been an All-Star centerfielder in the minors.
The Mets gave up on Otis and made one of their worst trades in their history. In December 1969, Otis went to the Kansas City Royals along with pitcher Bob Johnson for third baseman Joe Foy. Foy bombed at third base & was out of baseball in two years. This led to the Mets dealing away Nolan Ryan for Jim Fregosi who also bombed at third base.
Meanwhile Amos Otis starred in centerfield with Kansas City for 14 years. He immediately became a star in Kansas City, hitting .284 with 11 HRs, 58 RBIs and 33 stolen bases. During his tenure, one of the most popular chants in Royals Stadium was "A-O, A-O."
He tied for the American League lead in doubles his first full year (1970) and led again in 1976. He would hit over 25 doubles, nine times in his career. In 1971, the speedster led the league in steals (52) and in his career stole over 30 bases five times.
He would bat over .300 twice and over .290 three other seasons. He would show occasional power hitting 18 or more HRs four times with a career high 26 HRs in 1973.
One of his managers in Kansas City, Jack McKeon said "He's the best center fielder in baseball. No question about it. Amos is the most complete player in the majors." By 1976 his manager would be the man who helped develop his minor league career, Whitey Herzog.
Post Seasons: Otis appeared in the post season five times with KC, winning five divisional titles & one AL Pennant.
In a 17-season career, Otis batted .277, with 193 HRs, 1007 RBIs, 374 doubles, 341 steals, & 66 triples in 1,998 games played. Otis was a very private distinguished gentleman who hated any kind of showmanship.
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