Matty Alou
From BR Bullpen
Mateo Rojas Alou born Mateo Rojas Alou
- Bats Left, Throws Left
- Height 5' 9", Weight 160 lb.
- Debut September 26, 1960
- Final Game June 21, 1974
- Born December 22, 1938 in Haina, Distrito Nacional, D.R.
[edit] Biographical Information
Matty Alou played fifteen seasons in the major leagues with a lifetime batting average of .307, earned during the second dead-ball era. He led the National League in batting in 1966, was third in 1967, second in 1968, and fourth in batting in 1969.
Part of one of the great baseball families of all-time, Alou had the almost unique distinction of being teammates with his brothers Felipe Alou and Jesus Alou with the San Francisco Giants in 1963. In one game, all three Alou brothers started in the same Giants' outfield.
Matty's best years came with the Pittsburgh Pirates for whom he hit well over .300 several times in the late 1960's.
Acquired in August 1972 from the St. Louis Cardinals, Alou played a major role in the Oakland A's pennant drive.
After his major league days were over, Alou played three seasons for the Taiheiyo Club Lions in Nippon Pro Baseball, hitting .283 with 14 HRs.
He is also the uncle of major league outfielder Moises Alou and minor leaguers Felipe Alou Jr. and Jose Alou.
When he hit .332 in 1968, it was the heart of the second dead-ball era and the league as a whole hit only .243.
- First Baseball Card appearance 1961 Topps
[edit] Notable Achievements
- 2-time NL All-Star (1968 & 1969)
- NL Batting Average Leader (1966)
- 2-time NL At Bats Leader (1969 & 1970)
- NL Hits Leader (1969)
- 2-time NL Singles Leader (1969 & 1970)
- NL Doubles Leader (1969)
- 100 Runs Scored Seasons: 1 (1969)
- 200 Hits Seasons: 2 (1969 & 1970)
- Won a World Series with the Oakland Athletics in 1972
