Felipe Alou hired as Giants manager
By JANIE McCAULEY
AP Sports Writer
November 13, 2002
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- Felipe Alou was hired Wednesday to manage the National League champion San Francisco Giants, returning to the team he played for in the 1950s and '60s.
The former manager of the Montreal Expos inherits a team that came within six outs of a World Series title and replaces the popular Dusty Baker, whose contract was not renewed.
Baker is talking with the Chicago Cubs about becoming their manager. Alou's son Moises plays for the Cubs.
The 67-year-old Alou agreed to a three-year contract. He was 691-717 in 10 seasons managing the Expos.
He played for the Giants from 1958-63 as part of a 17-season major league career in which he hit .286 with 206 homers and 852 RBIs. He also spent 1970 and part of 1971 in the Bay area playing for the Oakland Athletics.
On the Giants, he joined brothers Matty and Jesus in an all-Alou outfield in some games.
``I'm thrilled to go back where it all started for me. Many times I never thought I would get back there,'' Felipe Alou said.
It is the first time in nearly three decades that a manager takes over a pennant-winning team. Alvin Dark became manager of the A's when Dick Williams retired following their 1973 World Series championship.
``We're obviously thrilled we're able to welcome Felipe back,'' general manager Brian Sabean said. ``Everybody in baseball realizes what he's done in the game. It's thrilling because he's a Giant at heart. He's returning to manage a team we're still going to be excited about for years to come. To hire someone of his pedigree is exciting.
``He calls himself a baseball soldier in conversation. He's more like baseball royalty to us.''
Alou was fired by the Expos during the 2001 season, and was a bench coach for the Detroit Tigers this past season.
He is a native of the Dominican Republic. The Giants had hinted they would try to replace Baker, who is black, with another minority.
Alou will have the challenge of dealing with Barry Bonds, whose dugout shoving match with second baseman Jeff Kent -- a free agent not expected to return to the Giants -- was a low point in the team's successful year.
``Barry Bonds and other players operate at a very high level, a level not many people have operated at in the course of their lives. I respect the way they operate,'' Alou said. ``Myself, I was a decent player, but I didn't operate at that level.''
Sabean said he is confident Alou, who will be introduced by the Giants at a Pacific Bell Park news conference on Friday, can handle what has been at times a contentious San Francisco clubhouse.
``He dealt with an interesting, diverse group in Montreal and our clubhouse is one of the same,'' said Sabean, who interviewed Alou over two days in Florida. ``I spoke of pedigree and blood lines, and it doesn't get any better than this. He's a guy who can and will make a difference.''
Baker's differences with team owner Peter Magowan simmered all season, mainly about who deserved the most credit for the recent success. It even came up during the Giants' seven-game loss to the Anaheim Angels in the World Series.
Magowan left the decision on the new manager to Sabean, who re-signed with the team after the World Series.
``It will be important for any manager who comes in here to deal with the different personalities, ages and races that make up any organization, not just the Giants,'' Magowan has said. |
