16 Facts About Moises Alou

Moises Alou is one of the few baseball players who batted without the use of batting gloves.

Moises Alou was more interested in playing basketball during his youth and did not play organized baseball until he attended Canada College in Redwood City, California, at the age of 18.

In 1986, Moises Alou was the second overall pick in the MLB January Draft - Regular Phase, chosen by the Pittsburgh Pirates.

At the start of the 2002 season Moises Alou again ended up on the disabled list, and once healthy, he hit.

Moises Alou went on to lead the team in batting average in its two series against the Atlanta Braves and Florida Marlins.

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In Game 6 of the National League Championship Series against the Florida Marlins that year, Moises Alou was involved in the Steve Bartman incident, in which Cubs fan Steve Bartman deflected a foul ball landing one row into the stands.

Bartman's deflection prevented Moises Alou, who reached into the stands, from attempting to catch the ball for an out that could have been the second out of the 8th Inning.

Moises Alou openly admitted later in interviews that while he was frustrated at the moment, he could not have made the catch anyway.

Later, Moises Alou denied making such a statement and said if he had, it was only to make Bartman feel better.

In 2004, Moises Alou set new career highs in home runs and doubles, while driving in 106 runs.

In October 2004, Moises Alou announced that he had talked to his father, Felipe, about possibly playing for him and the Giants next season.

Moises Alou was expected to regularly play in right field for the first time since 2001, but because of injuries to left fielder Barry Bonds, he started most games in left field.

Moises Alou had stated that he would retire if the Giants won the World Series in 2005.

On March 5,2008, Moises Alou underwent hernia surgery and missed the start of the 2008 season.

On March 5,2009, Moises Alou announced that he would retire after the World Baseball Classic.

Moises Alou is the youngest of three sons born to Felipe and his first wife Maria Beltre, who raised him in the Dominican Republic after his parents divorced when he was two.