T h e b ig g e s t t h in g that ever hap pened in the life of Felipe Alou, former star outfielder of the San Francisco Giants and now with the Milwaukee Braves baseball club, is bom of the fact that some one gave him a Bible! This simple statement may appear strange to some but Felipe would assert: “ It’s true! I’ll never quit thanking the Lord that someone gave me His Book!” Alou has completed six full seasons in the National League . . . and is considered one of the real stars of the game. He runs and throws with the best and hits with as much explosive power as any man in the Majors. John Roseboro, catcher of the World’s Champion Los Angeles Dod gers, recently said: “ Felipe is one of the real great guys of baseball. I’ll never forget a real close play at the plate in a 1962 Dodger-Giant contest at Chavaz Ravine. The umpire called him ‘out!’ Felipe argued the call. His manager was even more vehement! As I remember, Felipe didn’t swear but his Latin temper was somewhat in display! It was quite evident that he felt badly about it, for the next time he came to bat, he walked be hind me and said to the umpire: ‘Mr. Secory, if I said anything to you that wasn’t r-right, I want you to know that I‘m s-sorry!’ In all my days in baseball,” said Roseboro, “ I’ve never seen anything like that! There’s not a nicer fellow in the game.” Roseboro might ask and others might ask: “What is it that makes Felipe Alou the man that he is?” The answer begins with the fact that someone gave him a Bible! It was in the year 1956 that Felipe came to the United States for the first time. He was the first citizen of the Dominican Republic to enter the farm system of a Major League Baseball Club. His initial experience in professional ball was with a Flor ida Club. He batted that year to an average of .380 and led the State League. When Felipe returned to the Republic that winter he was ac claimed a national hero! “ To think,” says Felipe, “ that so much acclaim came to me when I was only in Class D !” Numerous gifts were showered upon him. Even the Dictator hon ored him. Among these many gifts was a Bible. This gift came not from the Dictator, however, but from one of God’s Team. The benefactor was one Roque Martinez, a true “ Giant” of the Lord. Roque, a young and un assuming man, encouraged Felipe to read and carry this Book. The ball player at first was even afraid to be seen with the Book. He had been educated to believe that really no one had a right to even read the Bible
a greater thrill
than baseball
by Don B. Rood
Felipe Alou greets people at the door of a church in Caracas, Venezuela.
THE KING'S BUSINESS
48
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