Matty Alou dies at age 72

[redsmetz]

A member of one of the rare brothers trio to play MLB, Matty Alou has died at age 72 of an undisclosed illness.

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/blog/big_league_stew/post/Dominican-baseball-legend-Matty-Alou-dies-at-age?urn=mlb-wp26365

He and Felipe and Jesus had more hits then the three DiMaggio brothers.

[redsmetz]

A little more from the Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/nationals/matty-alou-once-part-of-giants-all-alou-outfield-dies-at-72-in-dominican-republic/2011/11/03/gIQAWeNIjM_story.html

http://www.washingtonpost.com/rf/image_296w/2010-2019/Wires/Online/2011-11-03/AP/Images/Obit%20MAlou%20Baseball.JPEG-049a4.jpg

From left to right: Jesus, Matty & Felipe Alou

[Spitball]

I always considered Matty Alou an amazing story. He was probably the least regarded of the brothers but really blossomed under the Pirates' philosophy of hitting (Was Harry Walker the hitting coach?). He started using a big bat and went from a light hitter with the Giants to a batting champion with the Pirates. He never struck out more than 44 times and slapped the ball around with unbelieveable success.

I hated the Pirates but loved Matty Alou.

[Ron Madden]

RIP Matty Alou.

[PuffyPig]

He was likley overrated during the time when BA was king.

Wasn't a particularly good defensive OF and had little power and walked seldom.

But he ended up with a BA above .300.

[Always Red]

When I was a kid, I remember both of Rose's batting title years being down to the wire with Matty Alou- that was high drama back in the day.

In 1969, Alou had 231 hits- that ain't chump change (though he still didn't OPS .800 in that year!)

[cumberlandreds]

A little more from the Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/nationals/matty-alou-once-part-of-giants-all-alou-outfield-dies-at-72-in-dominican-republic/2011/11/03/gIQAWeNIjM_story.html (http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/nationals/matty-alou-once-part-of-giants-all-alou-outfield-dies-at-72-in-dominican-republic/2011/11/03/gIQAWeNIjM_story.html)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/rf/image_296w/2010-2019/Wires/Online/2011-11-03/AP/Images/Obit%20MAlou%20Baseball.JPEG-049a4.jpg

From left to right: Jesus, Matty & Felipe Alou

A good article. Thanks for posting,RM.

RIP Matty Alou

[RedsBaron]

When I was a kid, I remember both of Rose's batting title years being down to the wire with Matty Alou- that was high drama back in the day.

In 1969, Alou had 231 hits- that ain't chump change (though he still didn't OPS .800 in that year!)

IIRC, in one of the last games of the 1968 season, with Rose and Alou neck and neck for the batting title lead, Matty went 4 for 4 in a game, only to have Pete go 5 for 5 later that day. Pete ended up winning the batting title over Matty, .335 to .332.
The next season Matty hit .331 with his 231 hits. Pete won another tight battle for the hitting crown with another Pirate, Roberto Clemente, .348 to .345.

[Roy Tucker]

When I was a kid, I remember both of Rose's batting title years being down to the wire with Matty Alou- that was high drama back in the day.

In 1969, Alou had 231 hits- that ain't chump change (though he still didn't OPS .800 in that year!)

and 746 PA's. That's a boatload.

I remember Matty being the shrimp of the trio. Felipe and Jesus were big guys.

When BA and the batting title ruled the earth. It was a big deal then.

[chicoruiz]

Harry Walker always enjoyed taking credit for Matty, but if you look at his stats in San Francisco, he could always hit. It was mostly the increased playing time that helped take the big step forward, IMHO.

[Spitball]

Harry Walker always enjoyed taking credit for Matty, but if you look at his stats in San Francisco, he could always hit. It was mostly the increased playing time that helped take the big step forward, IMHO.

I disagree. Harry Walker reworked Matty Alou's approach to batting when he arrived in Pittsburgh. He slowed down his swing by having him use a big heavy bat with a thick handle. Walker had Alou forget about hitting with power and had him spraying the ball around.

Alou's batting average and OBP were both about 60 points higher in Pittsburgh over his days in San Fran. Also, his power was down as he hit only six total homers in five year for the Pirates after hitting twice as many for the Giants in about half as many at bats.

I believe Walker had his stamp on that whole Pirate offense in those years.

[RedsBaron]

I disagree. Harry Walker reworked Matty Alou's approach to batting when he arrived in Pittsburgh. He slowed down his swing by having him use a big heavy bat with a thick handle. Walker had Alou forget about hitting with power and had him spraying the ball around.

Alou's batting average and OBP were both about 60 points higher in Pittsburgh over his days in San Fran. Also, his power was down as he hit only six total homers in five year for the Pirates after hitting twice as many for the Giants in about half as many at bats.

I believe Walker had his stamp on that whole Pirate offense in those years.

Until Alou came to Pittsburgh his career BA was .260 in 1048 at bats. In his first four seasons in Pittsburgh he hit .342, .338, .332, and .331, and he finished his career with a .307 BA.

[Ghosts of 1990]

RIP. I remember Felipe well

[chicoruiz]

Yeah, I probably didn't phrase that too well; Harry Walker no doubt helped make Matty a better hitter. But it isn't 100% accurate to call him a "light hitter" with the Giants either; he'd had seasons of .310 and .292. The talent was there; it was a combination of Walker's system, increased playing time and the vast RF at Forbes Field that allowes the talent to blossom.

[Spitball]

Yeah, I probably didn't phrase that too well; Harry Walker no doubt helped make Matty a better hitter. But it isn't 100% accurate to call him a "light hitter" with the Giants either; he'd had seasons of .310 and .292. The talent was there; it was a combination of Walker's system, increased playing time and the vast RF at Forbes Field that allowes the talent to blossom.

Walker did change Alou's style though. He switched him to a heavy, thick handled bat that slowed down his swing and allowed him to slap the ball around.

[Crosley68]

Growing up in the 60's I used to check the Pirates' box score right after I checked the Reds'. I wanted to see if he and Pete had gained on each other. I rooted against him but respected his talent. RIP Matty.

[Tony Cloninger]

RIP. I remember Felipe well

Felipe Alou is Not dead. Matty Alou is still dead.

[redsmetz]

Felipe Alou is Not dead. Matty Alou is still dead.

As is Generalissimo Franco.