Time
to add to my “Traded” series through the 1970’s with a 1971 edition for
former All-Star Felipe Alou, who found himself with the New York
Yankees just after the season started after a trade from the Oakland A’s
for Rob Gardner and Ron Klimkowski:
Alou did not disappoint, hitting .289 for the Yanks the rest of the way
driving in 69 runs while playing the outfield with some first base
thrown in.
The 36-year old was winding down an excellent 17-year Major League
career that saw him make three All-Star games, top the National League
in hits twice with 218 in 1966 and 210 in 1968, runs with 122 in ‘66 and
total bases with 355 that same season.
By the time he retired after a few games with the Milwaukee Brewers in
1974 he finished with 2101 hits and 206 homers with 985 runs scored and
852 RBIs, with a very nice .286 batting average.
Of course we all also remember him going on to becoming a Major League
manager, leading the Montreal Expos from 1992 to 2001 before taking over
the San Francisco Giants in 2003, managing them until 2006, while also
being a part of that baseball family that included brother Matty and
Jesus, son Moises, cousin Jose Sosa and nephew Mel Rojas.
Just amazing.