Ex-Giant Matty Alou dies at 72

[madinmaryland]

Matty Alou, once part of an all-Alou outfield for the San Francisco Giants with brothers Felipe and Jesus, died Thursday in his native Dominican Republic. He was 72.

He died of diabetes complications, according to his former Dominican team, Leones del Escogido. The Giants also confirmed his death and said Alou had been sick for several years with a variety of health issues.

Hall of Famer Orlando Cepeda said he knew his "great friend" had been ailing.

"We roomed together a few times with the Giants," Cepeda said by phone. "Very funny guy, hell 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."

A two-time All-Star, Alou became the 1966 National League batting champion with the Pirates when he hit .342. He spent his first six years with San Francisco from 1960-65 and also played for St. Louis, Oakland, the New York Yankees and San Diego.

Read more: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/baseball/mlb/11/03/matty.alou.obit.ap/index.html#ixzz1cgpoCK7C

RIP.

[El Supremo]

1. A picture is appropriate >>

Jesus, Matty and Felipe

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6_yzU6ntgFc/Tgp5oXY49NI/AAAAAAAASlU/Z4MZO3xlCQA/s1600/alou+%25284%2529.jpg

Sorry Matty's gone.

[Condem]

2. I feel old.

I had no idea he was 72.

[Old and In the Way]

3. Pretty amazing family.

3 brothers playing on the same pro team...I doubt that will happen again anytime soon. RIP Matty.

[H2O Man]

4. Great photo.

Thanks.

[Jack Rabbit]

5. As a member of the Pittsburgh Pirates, Matty won the 1966 NL brtting title

He said he surprised himself by beating out Roberto Clemente.

All of the Alou brothers were good hitters.

I was at Candlestick Park the day all three played in the outfield. Felipe made a show with a diving catch in the outfield.

[joeybee12]

6. Very sad...RIP...he was part of a crossword clue yesterday,,,,

Any outfielder in SF in 1963.