Former big league outfielder Jesús Alou passed away today at age 80, reports Enrique Rojas of ESPN. The Dominican Republic native played parts of 15 seasons in the majors during the 1960’s and 70’s.
Alou was a member of one of baseball history’s most famous families. The younger brother of All-Stars Felipe Alou and Matty Alou, Jesús signed with the Giants headed into 1959. After three-plus seasons in the minors, Alou reached the majors during his age-21 campaign in 1963. That was a 16-game cameo but made history when he joined his brothers in the San Francisco outfield during Jesús Alou’s rookie year. While Felipe would find himself traded to Milwaukee the following offseason, Jesús and Matty Alou spent the next few seasons as teammates in San Francisco.
Jesús Alou saw fairly significant action by his second season. He’d top 100 games every year from 1964-71. Alou played in San Francisco through 1968, hitting .279/.301/.348 in 633 games in a Giant uniform. During the 1968-69 offseason, he went to the Expos as part of the expansion draft. Alou would never play a game in Montreal, however. A couple months after selecting him, the Expos dealt Alou with right-hander Jack Billingham and lefty reliever Skip Guinn to Houston for All-Star outfielder Rusty Staub.
Alou played with the Astros until midway through the 1973 season, when Houston sold his contract to the Athletics. He was a role player for Oakland’s World Series winning clubs in 1973 and ’74. While he only got into 132 combined games in green and gold, he picked up a pair of championship rings. Alou signed with the Mets for the ’75 season and returned to Houston late in the decade in a minor role. He played professionally in Mexico before retiring after the 1980 campaign.
In 1380 career big league contests, Alou hit .280/.305/.353. Never much of a power threat, he only connected on 32 home runs but he tallied 1216 hits and topped the double-digit mark in doubles in eight consecutive seasons. While he never achieved the lofty heights his brothers reached as players, he spent a decade and a half as a major leaguer and won a pair of World Series.
Alou’s baseball career also went well beyond his playing days. He spent some time on the Houston coaching staff and eventually transitioned into scouting roles with the Expos and Red Sox. He’d worked for the Boston organization since 2002 and eventually spent more than six decades in the game. MLBTR sends our condolences to Alou’s family, loved ones, friends and colleagues throughout the sport.
Vastly underrated player. He’d be making millions in this era of overpaying for mediocrity. RIP.
I remember seeing the Alou brothers playing the OF in the same game. The Giants were my first favorite team when their lineup included Marichal, McCovey,
I remember seeing the Alou brothers playing the OF in the same game. The Giants were my first favorite team when their lineup included Marichal, McCovey, Gaylord Perry, Cepeda, Spahn and my role model and favorite all-time player, Willie Mays. Jesus will be missed.
RIP Jesus Alou…you’re place in baseball history will never be forgotten.
RIP JESUS ALOU….VERY UNDERRATED PLAYER
Man time flies. You forget that these guys are older.
I remember when all three of these guys were starting outfielders in the same game.
I remember all three Alou brothers, and I had the same reaction as you. How could he be 80? As soon as I hear the name Alou, I immediately think of three brothers. All three could hit for average, all three were impossible to K, and all three believed in the old axiom that you can’t walk your way off the island. Baseball royalty.
RIP.
You just need to have seen Moises Alou and Luis Rojas to realize that time marches on.
No, not a superstar but a good, steady player from a great baseball family. RIP, Mr. Alou.
Oh man. Sorry to see, loved the Alou brothers. RIP.
RIP
A truly great guy and font of baseball knowledge. Baseball suffered a big loss. RIP Jesus. May your family be comforted.
Sadly no mention of the fourth Alou brother who played MLB in late 60s/early 70s w Orioles
Steven, there was no 4th. And please don’t use the Hank Greenwald joke. Which I believe is the reason for your post.
Para toda la familia Alou mis condolencias. La familia beisbolera Latina fue orgullo e importantes contribuyentes para el camino de peloteros hispanos. Pioneer Alou brothers for what are todays superstars – Jesus was one. RIP
RIP.
The greatness of players who did time in Houston.
Forever Giant! Never forget the Alou bros manning the outfield for the Giants.
R.I.P.
Funniest moment I ever saw on an MLB diamond: April 1975, one out, top of ninth, Giants’ Ed Halicki has no-hitter going vs. Mets at Candlestick. Jesus is up and in the middle of the at-bat Halicki asks for a new ball. As he underhands the old ball to the ump Alou, who had stepped out of the box, jumps back in with his bat cocked, ready to hack! The look of utter terror on Halicki’s face (as witnessed from row ten) was priceless. (After regaining his composure, Halicki completed the no-no.)
I remember watching that game on WOR. Great to see my first no-hitter but not so great seeing it against my favorite team.
EBJ, I was at that game. Last out was groundball to Montanez at first. I don’t remember the moment you referred to but I do remember that the game was in August. School was starting and it was the end of summer vacation. Either way, Mets won second game as Kingman homered. 5 rbis I think
@sarunas You are correct, it was August. It actually was the second game of the DH. Home plate was in shadows as Wayne Garrett bounced out to end it. Mets won the first game 9-5 and Kingman had 4 RBIs.
Old school. He and his brothers could drop a bunt into a golf hole.
I still have a baseball card of the Alou brothers, probably from 1965.
Oh and it’s 1960s and ‘70s. Just say no to random apostrophes.
It’s amazing that so many in one family could be so good at baseball.
There’s a lot of good families like the Boones Lieters and even Acunas it’s in the genes
I keep expecting another Alou or Boone to arrive in the majors.
Moises did.
@Braves Butt-Head: LEITERS. But why expect accuracy from someone with a username like that?
He flipped two letters in ‘Leiter’ and you felt the need to correct him. Why?
When the time comes, on or about the 12th of Never, that you are owed an explanation by me, you will find out.
We’ll look forward to that Bleu
12th of Never isnt a real date. The 12 months are January, February, March, April, May, June July, August, September, October, November, December.
I can provide a link to a calendar if you need one.
First, never begin a sentence with a numeral.
Second, if you need one, which you obviously do, I can provide a link to a dictionary so you can expand your vocabulary by learning the meaning of “sarcasm.”
Are you capable of reading and grasping multi syllable words?
No but Im real good at spottiing DBags!!!
Sure. Lots of practice from looking in the mirror. When you have nothing intelligent to say, there’s always name calling to fall back on!
The Alou Brothers were great players. They would command big money because of what they bought to the game. I remember the Giants team and the players on that team. Celesta, Perry, Mays, Juan Marichal, McCovey, Alou, just to name a few. You could not afford to pay all that talent nowadays. They were so underpaid back then. Great players compared to the mediocrity and over paid players we see now.
Felipe, the oldest, is the last Alou remaining.
Ohh Felipe still alive?