Jesús Alou, who, along with his brothers, Felipe and Matty, made MLB history with the San Francisco Giants in 1963 and won a pair of World Series titles with the Oakland Athletics in 1973 and 1974, has passed away.
Alou’s MLB career spanned the better part of two decades, lasting from 1963-1979. In that time, he played with four teams — the Giants, Houston Astros, A’s, and New York Mets.
MLB Insider Héctor Gómez was one of many to report the news. Alou was 80.
Jesus Alou, the youngest of the legendary trilogy of Dominican brothers, died at the age of 80.
Brothers Felipe, Matty and Jesus Alou played in the outfield at the same time for the San Francisco Giants, September 15, 1963.
Rest in peace… pic.twitter.com/wGREKSNtEu
— Héctor Gómez (@hgomez27) March 10, 2023
Both the Giants and A’s paid tribute to Alou. The Boston Red Sox — who Alou worked for in 2002 as director of Dominican operations — did as well.
The San Francisco Giants are saddened to learn of the passing of former outfielder Jesús Alou.
Our thoughts, prayers and deepest condolences go to the Alou family, his friends and all those whose lives he touched. 🧡 pic.twitter.com/TqvRW2vFfU
— SFGiants (@SFGiants) March 11, 2023
We are heartbroken by the passing of Jesús Alou.
He was a key member of our World Series-winning teams in 1973 & 74 and will forever be a member of the A’s family.
— Oakland A's (@Athletics) March 11, 2023
We are deeply saddened by the passing of Jesús Alou.
A 2x World Series champion, with over 60 years in baseball as a player, coach, scout, & ambassador, Jay was the patriarch of the Red Sox Dominican Academy & Lindos Sueños, bringing together communities within Red Sox Nation. pic.twitter.com/MbhNPELqdF
— Red Sox (@RedSox) March 10, 2023
Fans and others in the baseball world paid their condolences, as well.
Our deepest condolences go out to the entire Alou family upon hearing of the passing of Jesús Alou. pic.twitter.com/NGraQVxK4f
— Expos Fest❤️#EnRoutePour1Million #RoadTo1Million (@ExposFest) March 10, 2023
RIP Jesus Alou, 80, the youngest of the Alou brothers, playing together for the #SFGiants with Felipe and Matty Alou https://t.co/5i5UZDmLO7
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) March 11, 2023
RIP Jesus Alou.
My condolences to Felipe.
Jesus had a fine 15-year MLB career.
The Expos selected him in the expansion draft in 1968. Three months later, he was traded to the Astros as part of the package for Rusty Staub.#Expos pic.twitter.com/OjfozDWXp0
— Kevin Glew (@coopincanada) March 10, 2023
Beloved in MLB and in the Dominican Republic, Jesús Alou, father of five, spent most of his 80 devoted years in Baseball. He didn’t just give people the time of day, he gave them sunlight. Brother to Felipe and Matty, two-time World Series winner for Oakland, RIP stellar soul. 🙏 pic.twitter.com/zN5si33jOg
— Dinn Mann (@mooseoutfront) March 11, 2023
Indeed, Jesús shared the outfield with his two older brothers on September 15, 1963, when the Giants took on the Pittsburgh Pirates. Felipe, the eldest of the three, started the game, batting lead-off for the Giants. Jesús and Matty came in later, replacing Willie McCovey and Willie Mays, respectively. The three made up the outfield for the final two innings of San Francisco’s 13-5 win, with Matty playing left field, Felipe in center and Jesús in right.
On September 10 of that year, Jesús made his Major League debut, pinch-hitting in the eighth inning of a game against the Mets. All three Alou brothers batted that inning in order, with Jesús and Felipe grounding out, and Matty striking out between them.
Alou went to the Astros for the 1969 season and remained there until the 1973 season. In July of that year, he was traded to Oakland and helped the A’s win the World Series that year and the following season. After one season with the Mets in 1975, he went to the Mexican League. He returned to MLB in 1978, playing two seasons with the Astros before retiring.