MINNEAPOLIS -- The Twins have had many legendary players since they moved to Minnesota in 1960, but few have had greater appeal than Tony Oliva.

Throughout his illustrious career, Oliva earned the respect and admiration of his fellow players, coaches and fans. But one honor has eluded Oliva for more than two decades.

Oliva is making his third appearance on the Hall of Fame Veterans Committee ballot. In the 2005 Veterans election, he garnered 56.3 percent of the vote to finish in third place. A candidate must receive 75 percent of the vote to gain election. In 15 years on the Baseball Writers' ballot, his highest vote percentage was 47.3 percent in 1988. Results of the 2007 Veterans Committee election will be announced on Feb. 27, and the induction ceremony will take place on July 29 in Cooperstown, N.Y.

Considered by many to have been one of the game's great outfielders of his era, Oliva spent his entire 15-year career in Minnesota. From 1962-76, a period that included 11 full seasons, he batted .304 with 220 home runs, 947 RBIs and 870 runs scored. He is the owner of the 1964 American League Rookie of the Year Award and three batting titles.

Among other achievements on his resume, Oliva was the first player to win batting titles in each of his first two seasons. He led the AL in hits five times and doubles four times, and he batted .300 or better six times. He also made eight straight trips to the All-Star Game, from 1964-71, and he earned a 1966 AL Gold Glove.

But one of the greatest highlights of Oliva's career might have come during the 1965 season, when the outfielder helped carry the Twins to a World Series appearance against the Dodgers. Oliva batted .321 that season with 98 RBIs and 107 runs scored in addition to a league-leading 185 hits. He finished second in the AL MVP voting, and while his production slowed a bit during the series, it was enough to leave many of his fellow teammates in awe.

"Tony Oliva was something to watch that year," said Camilo Pascual, a pitcher on the 1965 Twins.

But what has likely kept Oliva trapped in the Bermuda Triangle in voters' minds was his truncated career. A right knee injury limited his production over his final three seasons and led to an early retirement.

2007 Hall of Fame Inductions
  2007 Candidates  
The 2007 Veterans Committee ballot features 27 candidates on the player ballot, 15 on the composite ballot.
Players ballot
• Dick Allen
• Bobby Bonds
• Ken Boyer
• Rocky Colavito
• Wes Ferrell
• Curt Flood
• Joe Gordon
• Gil Hodges
• Jim Kaat
• Mickey Lolich
• Sparky Lyle
• Marty Marion
• Roger Maris
• Carl Mays
 • Minnie Minoso
• Thurman Munson
• Don Newcombe
• Lefty O'Doul
• Tony Oliva
• Al Oliver
• Vada Pinson
• Ron Santo
• Luis Tiant
• Joe Torre
• Cecil Travis
• Mickey Vernon
• Maury Wills
 
Composite ballot
• Buzzie Bavasi
• August Busch Jr.
• Harry Dalton
• Charlie Finley
• Doug Harvey
• Whitey Herzog
• Bowie Kuhn
• Billy Martin
 • Marvin Miller
• Walter O'Malley
• Gabe Paul
• Paul Richards
• Bill White
• Dick Williams
• Phil Wrigley

"I put up a lot of great numbers," said Oliva, who now works as a community ambassador for the Twins. "I know my career was short, but I did things no one did before. I wasn't just a great hitter -- I did a lot of other stuff. I could run, I could throw and catch. I was an all-around ballplayer."

Oliva's career might have ended prematurely, but his presence with the Twins certainly has not. Since his playing days, Oliva has become a strong force in the Twin Cities community, and it's been a huge part of his effort to cement his legacy in Minnesota.

"When you're around Tony, you always get to hear a great bunch of stories and find out things that you never knew," Twins catcher Joe Mauer said. "That is one of the reasons that everyone loves him so much."

Oliva is one of 25 former players on this year's Veterans ballot. The Veterans Committee votes in alternating years, and during the last ballot, in 2005, no one received the required 75 percent to be elected.

Earning the honor of enshrinement into Cooperstown would certainly be a crowning achievement for Oliva, but it's not something that would overshadow all that he was able to accomplish during his career. For Oliva, it's the appreciation of being able to play at all that is his lasting legacy.

"How could a little guy like me from Cuba get to the U.S. and play in the big leagues?" Oliva said. "It's a big miracle. I came from a small town in Cuba, from a poor family. But somehow, I came here and played with the best baseball players in the world. It's unbelievable."