Oakland Athletics: Brothers That Have Played For The A’s

Felipe Alou (1970), Matty Alou (1972) and Jesus Alou (1973-1974)

The Alou brothers are probably most known for their time across the Bay with the Giants in the 60s. In 1963, they became the first all-brother outfield in the Major Leagues when the Giants decided to sit Willie Mays for a game. All three played for the A’s in the early 70s, but never at the same time.

Felipe Alou, the oldest, was the A’s regular left fielder in the 1970 season, appearing in 154 games. Not much of a power hitter but a three-time All-Star, he had a .271 batting average with 69 RBIs and 70 runs scored. Prior to the start of the 1970 season, Felipe was dealt to the Yankees when the A’s decided to go with a kid from Modesto they were high on to play left field, Joe Rudi.

Two-time All-Star and 1966 NL Batting Champion Matty Alou was acquired by the A’s in late August of 1972, just in time for the postseason, and unbeknownst to them, would be a useful replacement in the outfield with Reggie Jackson out for the World Series that year. Alou was hitting .318 with the Cardinals before the trade and as a regular in the A’s lineup, continued the .300 pace to finish the season at .307. Matty hit .381 in a five-game ALCS vs the Tigers that year but dropped in the World Series getting only one hit in 24 at-bats.

Jesus Alou, the youngest, came to the A’s midway through the 1973 season. He served mostly as a backup outfielder or, in his first season, as the designated hitter, where he hit .306 for the rest of the season for the A’s. He continued the same role through the 1974 season. Jesus, a lanky slap-hitter, was a part of the A’s World Championship teams in 1973 and 1974.

Next: Athletics Brothers: The Armas Brothers