The native of Preston, Iowa, stood 6 feet 1 inch (1.85 m) tall and weighed 185 pounds (84 kg) and threw and batted right-handed during his active career.

As a Major Leaguer, he appeared in 135 games as a second- or third-string receiver over all or parts of seven seasons (1953–55; 1960–63) with the Washington Senators, Pittsburgh Pirates and Philadelphia Phillies.

He was a member of the 1960 World Series champion Pirates squad that beat the New York Yankees, serving as the club's third catcher behind Smoky Burgess and Hal Smith.

The Pirates won both contests, however, and went on to a seven-game upset on Bill Mazeroski's walk-off home run.

Oldis' greatest number of games played was 47, in his final major league season.