FELIPE ALOU

The distinguished looking manager of the Expos, Felipe Alou, came by all that silver hair honestly. When he first arrived in the States in the late '50s, he was shocked by the racism. He knew he wouldn't be invited to the Vanderbilt mansion, but he didn't think it would be so hard just to get a meal, a cup of coffee, or a seat at the front of the bus, just because he had dark skin. This was unheard of back home in the Dominican Republic. True, the lighter-skinned mestizos (like the Trujillos) tended to run things, but in the basics of life, like eating in a restaurant, there was no such prejudice in the D.R. But Felipe, who first came to the attention of American scouts when he, like Juan Marichal, shone in the Pan American games, persevered, and eventually joined the Giants in 1958. In those early years with the Giants, Juan Marichal moved in with Felipe and his wife, and when Mateo (Matty) arrived, he moved in with them as well. They remain one big, mostly happy, extended family to this day; Felipe is godfather of Rosie, Juan's daughter Marichal is godfather to Felipe's oldest daughter, while Matty stands godfather to the second one.

Felipe, a recognized power hitter and All Star, was traded to the Braves in the winter of '63. He was a Brave until 1969 and had some of his finest seasons with them, especially 1966, when he hit a career best .327, led the NL in at bats, runs, and hits (218), while smacking 34 homers and driving in 74. During his career with the Braves he hit .295, gathering 989 hits and building a reputation as a consummate team player, serious student of the game, and five-tool player. The Braves played him at all the outfield positions as well as all four infield spots, and had him hit from top to bottom of the order. Besides his strong work ethic, he carried himself with the same grace and dignity we see today as he manages the Expos. Injuries--- a bum knee, hairline wrist fracture, and a bad arm in '69, either put him out of action or hindered him while he played through the injuries, but when he was healthy he was one of the best players in the NL.

After the injury-riddled '69 season, he was dealt to Oakland, and although he played five more seasons, with stops in New York (Yanks), Montreal and Milwaukee, he had already had his best years with the Giants and Braves. Ending with the Brewers made him one of three players---Phil Roof and Hank Aaron are the others--to play with both the Milwaukee Braves and Brewers.

Although he was no hot dog, he was outspoken on the treatment of Latin players and the ugly stereotypes about them, particularly the one that they didn't hustle. No one played harder than Felipe Alou. He also pointed out that, like American blacks, Latin players were underpaid. The tall, solemn born leader was also one of the first born-again Christians in a heavily Catholic country.

After many years in the Montreal system, Felipe became a major league manager on May 22, 1992. He has earned a reputation as a players' manager, stern, serious, but understanding. A typical Alou team is made up of some excellent veterans waiting for free agency so they can leave; several talented youngsters fresh out of the Montreal farm system, and some marginal players from other franchises who blossom under Alou. Since he took the helm, the Expos have lost Moises and Mel, Pedro Martinez, Larry Walker, Marquis Grissom, Wetteland, Jeff Fassero, Kirk Rueter, Jeff Shaw, Mike Lansing and David Segui. Each year, the pundits predicted disaster, yet Montreal has well, and Felipe's career record going into '98 was 470-399. Although he had shown an amazing degree of loyalty and serenity, Felipe was let go by the Expos. But don't worry about Filpe, other clubs would love to have him as the man in charge.