Matty Alou dies at age 72

[vikesfan]

Matty Alou, once part of an all-Alou outfield for the San Francisco Giants with brothers Felipe and Jesus, died Thursday in his native Dominican Republic. He was 72.

He died of diabetes complications, according to his former Dominican team, Leones del Escogido. The Giants also confirmed his death and said Alou had been sick for several years with a variety of health issues.

Hall of Famer Orlando Cepeda said he knew his "great friend" had been ailing.

"We roomed together a few times with the Giants," Cepeda said by phone. "Very funny guy, hell of a ballplayer. When Matty was playing with the Giants, he was a dead fastball hitter, he could pull anybody, I don't care how hard they threw."

A two-time All-Star, Alou became the 1966 National League batting champion with the Pirates when he hit .342. He spent his first six years with San Francisco from 1960-65 and also played for St. Louis, Oakland, the New York Yankees and San Diego.

"Although he played for six different teams, Matty remained a part of the Giants family as a longtime employee and will be forever linked with his brothers, Felipe and Jesus, as the first all-brother major league outfield, the Giants said.

Matty and his brothers Felipe and Jesus made history on Sept. 15, 1963, when they played at the same time in the outfield for the Giants during a game against Pittsburgh in Forbes Field.

Alou was a career .307 hitter with 31 home runs, 427 RBIs, 1,777 hits and 236 doubles in 15 major league seasons.

"He went to Pittsburgh and switched from a light bat to a heavy bat, and he hit .340 one year," Cepeda recalled.

The Alou brothers made history in 1963 when they appeared in the same outfield for several games. Felipe Alou, who managed the Giants for four seasons from 2003-06, takes pride in how the Alou name has endured in baseball.

"It's a family legacy," Felipe said during his time managing the Giants. "The Alou legacy is a legacy in itself. I see all of us together being a force going through this game, and still going. The respect, I'm proud of that, and length of service."

Leones president Luis Manuel Bonetti added: "Dominican baseball in general and Leones in particular, has lost one of its most emblematic figures and an extraordinary human being."

Moises Alou, Felipe's son, is currently general manager of Leones.

Felipe Alou still believes he cost the Giants a championship in 1962 when he failed to get down a bunt in the ninth inning of Game 7 of the 1962 World Series. It would have moved Matty from first to second. The Giants lost the game 1-0 and the Series to the New York Yankees.

In 2010, San Francisco finally captured the city's first title since moving west in 1958.

A memorial service was held Thursday and Alou was scheduled to be buried Friday. He is survived by his wife, Maria Teresa, three children -- Mateo Jr., Teresa and Matias -- and four grandchildren. In addition, he is survived by five siblings: brothers Felipe, Jesus and Jose, and sisters Zula and Virginia.

Alou and his wife celebrated their 49th wedding anniversary Oct. 27.

[Randle Pat McMurphy]

Very talented hitter with some of the quickest hands I have seen at the plate. Didnt look like much as he was smaller and not bulky. Went with pitches where they were thrown. Was quick on the bases as well. Played a good center field along side Clemente in that huge outfield at Forbes Field.

[oakas]

Alou was a career .307 hitter with 31 home runs, 427 RBIs, 1,777 hits and 236 doubles in 15 major league seasons.

I knew Matty was a good hitter, but .307 for 15 years is pretty good.

TRIVIA TIME>>>>>>>>Can anyone name the 4th Alou brother that briefly played in the majors?

[Randle Pat McMurphy]

Originally Posted by oakas

Alou was a career .307 hitter with 31 home runs, 427 RBIs, 1,777 hits and 236 doubles in 15 major league seasons.

I knew Matty was a good hitter, but .307 for 15 years is pretty good.

TRIVIA TIME>>>>>>>>Can anyone name the 4th Alou brother that briefly played in the majors?

4th brother was named Jose.


Matty won the NL batting title in 1966 while at Pittsburgh. Who finished in 2nd place for the batting title in 1966 behind Alou?

[smitch124]

Originally Posted by Randle Pat McMurphy

4th brother was named Jose.


Matty won the NL batting title in 1966 while at Pittsburgh. Who finished in 2nd place for the batting title in 1966 behind Alou?

Haha interesting question and answer. Since I had to look it up, I won't answer...

[oakas]

Originally Posted by Randle Pat McMurphy

4th brother was named Jose.


Matty won the NL batting title in 1966 while at Pittsburgh. Who finished in 2nd place for the batting title in 1966 behind Alou?

No RPM, it was not Jose.

I did not look it up. Was it team mate Manny Mota?

I think Matty's brother Felipe either finished 3rd or 4th that year.

[smitch124]

Originally Posted by oakas

No RPM, it was not Jose.

I did not look it up. Was it team mate Manny Mota?

I think Matty's brother Felipe either finished 3rd or 4th that year.

Jose was actually a cousin, and Felipe did indeed finish 2nd in 1966. An Alou exacta!

[Randle Pat McMurphy]

Originally Posted by oakas

Alou was a career .307 hitter with 31 home runs, 427 RBIs, 1,777 hits and 236 doubles in 15 major league seasons.

I knew Matty was a good hitter, but .307 for 15 years is pretty good.

TRIVIA TIME>>>>>>>>Can anyone name the 4th Alou brother that briefly played in the majors?

smitch is correct. As far as I can tell, there were only 3 brothers so I am not sure who you are looking for here.

[oakas]

You guys forgot about the brother.

Boog