San Francisco Giants’ batting maestro Matty Alou dies at 72 – MLB News
The San Francisco Giants’ former outfielder Matty Alou has died at the age of 72 on Thursday, November 3 at his native Dominican Republic, according to sources. Matty was an out-fielder with the Giants in the 60s along with his two brothers Felipe Alou and
Jesus Alou.
Doctors confirmed his death on Thursday saying that he was the victim of diabetes for a long time and was seen in severe condition in his last days.
Alou was once a batting Champion for the San Francisco Giants. The right hand batter and out-fielder played in two All-Star teams. His former team-mate Leones del Escogido stated that he was the victim of diabetes even in his playing career.
Another friend and Hall of Famer Orlando Cepeda lamented saying that he was aware of the problems.
"We roomed together a few times with the Giants," Cepeda said by phone. "Very funny guy, h**l 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."
Alou opened his career in the 1960s with San Francisco but his first few years with the club were mostly unremarkable. However, his time started in 1962 when he made a pinch hit to take the Giants into a game and the series finale of the playoffs against
the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Alou also played with Pittsburgh Pirates, St. Louis Cardinals, Oakland Athletics, New York Yankees, San Diego Padres, and the Taiheiyo Club Lions. However, he spent most of his time in the Giants, in which two of his brothers were also present. The trio
made a record in the history of the game in 1963 when they entered in the same out-field for several games.
Felipe who then joined the Giants in 2003 as manager and served until 2006 remembered the time with his brother.
"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."
In his 15-year career, Alou made 427 RBIs with a batting average of .307 and was the part of the World Series winning team in 1972. In 1966, he earned the batting title while playing for the Pittsburgh Pirates.
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