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The consummate pro, a member of one of baseball's royal families, has passed away ... RIP, Matty Alou.
15 years in the big leagues, with six teams, primarily the Giants and Pirates. 1667 games played, 1777 hits for a .307 career batting average. Just 31 career homers, but 10 different seasons in double-digit steals, with a high-water mark of 23 in 1966 -- the same year he, as a Pirate, won the NL batting title, hitting .342. (He finished in the Top 10 in batting average six times in the eight-year span from 1966-73.) Matty had seasons he led the NL in hits (1969), singles (1969-70) amd OF games played (1970). He even pitched two shutout innings for the '65 Giants. He was involved in one of the biggest trades of the 1971-72 off-season, when the Pirates dealt him and George Brunet to the Cardinals for Nellie Briles and Vic Davalillo. He played in three post-seasons, getting to the World Series twice and winning one ring, with the 1972 A's. Matty Alou -- the quintessential entry into the Hall of Pretty Damn Fine Ballplayer. Very few Bauxites will have seen the middle Alou brother play, and frankly, most won't even remember Moises' uncle as a player. But the baseball world is a little sadder, a little poorer today. Rest well, Matty. |
I remember Matty from his Pirate (and Cardinal days). He was the classic slap hitter of the time.
Alou came from the Giants of the late 50s-early 60s. That club had so much young talent to go along with Willie Mays- McCovey, Cepeda, Bill White, Marichal, the Alous, Jim Ray Hart, Jim Davenport, and others. And yet, they weren't able to convert all that talent into a great club.
Alou came from the Giants of the late 50s-early 60s. That club had so much young talent to go along with Willie Mays- McCovey, Cepeda, Bill White, Marichal, the Alous, Jim Ray Hart, Jim Davenport, and others. And yet, they weren't able to convert all that talent into a great club.
By the time I started following the Giants, Matty had moved on to Pittsburgh. He had done little with SF in 6 partial seasons, but as soon as he was traded, he became a consistent challenger for the top batting average in the league. One of many, many bad trades the Giants made in the 50's 60's and 70's which prevented the Giants from becoming a champion despite a hugely successful farm system.
When Matty came up, Felipe said Matty was better than he (Felipe), and when Jesus came up, both said that the youngest brother would be the best.
It was an amazing thing to see three brothers starting in the same outfield. Of course, at the time, some thought they would play together for years.
I expect that nowadays a hitter like Matty wouldn't get so much respect from commenters, because he didn't walk much and didn't hit for power, but he could sure whack the ball around.
So, yeah; I remember Matty Alou - enjoyed his play a lot.
Bob Forsch died today at age 61.... Bad enough Matty but Bob was only one year older than me. It sucks when players that I remember from my teens or early adult years are gone. RIP Matty and Bob.