Nyorai mberi kwechikamu chino - Oates akange atorwa kuti ave mutambi pamwe naBob Boone mumwaka wa1976 zvisinei, mumutambo wekuvhura mwaka uchipesana nePittsburgh Pirates, akapwanya pfupa rake rekona pakurovera paimba yeimba naDave Parker uye akarasikirwa nehafu yemwaka. "Mutambo iwoyo wakachinja basa rangu", akadaro pashure. Akadzoka kuzobatsira Phillies kukunda 1976 National League Eastern Division pennant. Oates aiva nechitarisiko chimwe cheplate sepinch hitter mu1976 National League Championship Series
sezvo vaPhillies vakarasikirwa kumakwikwi enyika anozotevera Cincinnati Reds. Mushure memwaka, akatengeswa kuLos Angeles Dodgers musi waDecember 20, 1976.