After moving to the United States in 1961, Oliva played in the minor leagues before becoming a major league regular in 1964. Playing in baseball's "second deadball era", he was one of the game's best hitters and an All-Star during his first eight seasons. Oliva was the 1964 American League Rookie of the Year, an AL batting champion during three seasons, an AL hit leader five seasons, and a Gold Glove winner one season. After eight seasons in the majors, Oliva's career was hampered by a series of severe knee injuries, forcing him to become a designated hitter during his final four years in baseball.