Felipe Alou

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Felipe Alou was born into poverty in Haina, Dominican Republic, and his parents dreamed of him becoming a doctor. He entered the University of Santo Domingo in 1954 as a premedical student, but switched from track to baseball at the last minute for the 1955 Pan American Games, where the Dominican team won the gold. He signed with the New York Giants in November 1955 for $200 due to family financial problems. In 1962, his first All-Star season, he batted .316 with 25 home runs and 98 RBI, helping the Giants win 101 games and force a tie-breaker series with the Los Angeles Dodgers. In Game 7 of the 1962 World Series, Alou was instructed to bunt against pitcher Ralph Terry but struck out, a play that 'haunted' him. He later said, 'You have to be ready to bunt in a World Series. I was not ready.' On September 15, 1963, Felipe, Matty, and Jesús formed the first and only all-brother outfield in MLB history for the last two innings of a 13–5 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates. Alou was traded to the Braves before the 1964 season. In 1966 he batted .327 with 31 home runs and led the league in runs (122), hits (218), at bats (666) and total bases (355); he finished second in the batting race to his brother Matty. In 1968 he batted .317 and led the league in hits (210) and at bats (662). After the 1969 season, the Braves traded Alou to the Oakland Athletics for Jim Nash. In April 1971, he was dealt to the New York Yankees for Rob Gardner and Ron Klimkowski. On September 6, 1973, Alou was selected off waivers by the Montreal Expos from the Yankees. He was purchased by the Milwaukee Brewers after the season and played three games before being released on April 29, 1974. In 2,082 games over eighteen seasons, Alou compiled a .286 batting average (2101-for-7339) with 985 runs, 359 doubles, 49 triples, 206 home runs, 852 RBI, and a .328 on-base percentage.

In Their Own Story

On May 22, 1992, Felipe Alou was promoted from bench coach to field manager of the Montreal Expos, becoming the first Dominican-born manager in MLB history. He inherited a young, talented roster and, in 1994, guided the Expos to the best record in baseball (74–40) before a players' strike wiped out the postseason—a team many believe was on track for a World Series run. Alou was named NL Manager of the Year that season, and his steady, fatherly presence earned deep respect from players like Larry Walker and Pedro Martínez. After the strike, the Expos were forced to dismantle their core due to financial constraints, but Alou kept the team competitive through 2001, finishing with a 691–717 record—the most wins of any Expos manager. He later managed the San Francisco Giants from 2003 to 2006, leading them to the NL West title in 2003 and posting a 342–304 record overall.

Reader's Guide

Era at the club: Felipe Alou managed the Montreal Expos from 1992 to 2001, becoming the most successful manager in Expos history. He also managed the San Francisco Giants from 2003 to 2006. Playing style: As a player, Alou played all three outfield positions regularly (736 games in right field, 483 in center, 433 in left). He batted regularly in the leadoff spot and hit a home run to begin a game on 20 occasions. He led the National League twice in hits and once in runs. Greatest achievements: Alou was named to the All-Star team in 1962 (first game), 1966, and 1968. He led the NL in hits in 1966 (218) and 1968 (210), and in runs in 1966 (122). He was named NL Manager of the Year in 1994. He was elected to the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame in 2015 and the Caribbean Baseball Hall of Fame in 2016. He is one of just three men with 2,000 hits, 200 home runs, and 1,000 managerial wins. Legacy: Felipe Alou is the most prominent member of one of baseball's most notable families: the oldest of the trio of baseball-playing brothers that included Matty and Jesús, and father of Moisés. All but Jesús have been named All-Stars at least twice. His son Luis managed the New York Mets. Alou was the first Dominican to play regularly in the major leagues and the first Dominican-born manager in MLB history.

Did You Know?

• Felipe Alou was the first Dominican to play regularly in the major leagues.
• On September 15, 1963, Felipe, Matty, and Jesús formed the first and only all-brother outfield in MLB history.
• Alou was named NL Manager of the Year in 1994 after leading the Expos to the best record in the majors before the strike.
• He is one of just three men to have 2,000 hits, 200 home runs, and 1,000 managerial wins, joining Joe Torre and Frank Robinson.