Leonard Eugene Alley (born July 10, 1940) is an American former professional baseball player. He played his entire career in Major League Baseball as a shortstop for the Pittsburgh Pirates from 1963 through 1973. A two-time All-Star player, Alley was a member of Pirates teams that won three consecutive National League Eastern Division titles between 1970 and 1972 and, won the World Series in 1971.
| Gene Alley | |
|---|---|
 Alley in 1966 | |
| Shortstop | |
| Born: July 10, 1940 Richmond, Virginia, U.S. | |
Batted: Right Threw: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| September 4, 1963, for the Pittsburgh Pirates | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| September 27, 1973, for the Pittsburgh Pirates | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Batting average | .254 |
| Home runs | 55 |
| Runs batted in | 342 |
| Teams | |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| |
Alley was a modest hitter but an exceptionally steady shortstop with good range and an accurate throwing arm. He won two Gold Glove Awards at shortstop (1966–67) and garnered two All-Star appearances primarily on the strength of his glove. He spent most of his career turning double plays with Baseball Hall of Fame second baseman Bill Mazeroski, and the duo set an MLB record of 161 double plays in a season in 1966 that still stands (when the Pirates set a National League record with 215 total double plays). They also joined a select list of eight shortstop-second baseman duos to each win a Gold Glove the same season while playing together twice (1967–68). Shoulder and knee problems ultimately ended his career early. A knee injury suffered late in the season that subsequently required surgery limited his participation in the 1971 postseason.[1][2][3]
On September 2, 1970, Alley hit an inside-the-park grand slam at Jarry Park Stadium in Montreal, against the Montreal Expos. With the bases loaded, facing Carl Morton, Alley hit a line drive which landed in front of center fielder Boots Day, who slipped on the wet grass. The ball rolled all the way to the wall in deepest center field, and all the baserunners and Alley scored.
In 1998, Alley was inducted into the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame.
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Jacobson, Steve (October 9, 1971). "Maz and Alley: Forgotten Men". Newsday. p. 58. Retrieved June 12, 2024 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ Millsaps, Bill (October 13, 1971). "Alley's Series May Be Ended". Richmond Times-Dispatch. p. 22. Retrieved June 12, 2024 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ "Gene Alley, Stargell to Undergo Surgery". Brdgeport Telegram. October 29, 1971. p. 64. Retrieved June 12, 2024 – via newspapers.com.
External links
edit- Career statistics and player information from Baseball Reference, or Fangraphs, or Baseball Reference (Minors)
- Gene Alley at SABR (Baseball BioProject)
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