There were high standards for occupancy in the hotel room shared for several years by Rod Carew and Tony Oliva on Twins road trips. The requirement was to be able to discuss from personal experience what it was like to win an American League batting title.
Tony won his first as a rookie in 1964, followed up with another in 1965, and then won a third in 1971, while limping on a right knee that was ruined in midseason while diving to make a catch in Oakland Coliseum's right field.
Sir Rodney, as he came to be known (at least in the St. Paul Pioneer Press), won his first in his third season of 1969, gave others a chance for a couple of seasons, then won six of seven batting titles from 1972 through 1978.
