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Miami Marlins History: Best Single-Season Hitters

By Kevin Kraczkowski

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 23: Jon Berti #55 of the Miami Marlins connects on a ninth inning base hit against the New York Mets at Citi Field on September 23, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 23: Jon Berti #55 of the Miami Marlins connects on a ninth inning base hit against the New York Mets at Citi Field on September 23, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /
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Florida Marlins player Moises Alou. (Photo credit should read ROBERTO SCHMIDT/AFP via Getty Images) /

Moises Alou 1997: 130 OPS+

Another multi-generational major leaguer, outfielder Moises Alou was an eventual 17-season major league veteran and a six-time All Star.

Alou was originally chosen in the first round of the Pirates in 1986, second overall off the board. Sometimes it’s good to be royalty, but Alou had more going for him than just his pedigree. Although he was never the fastest, the strongest, or the best fielder, he was always above average in all facets of the game.

Alou made his major league debut for the Pirates in 1990, and went one-for-five in two appearances. On August 8, the Prates sent Willie Greene, Scott Ruskin, and a player to be named later to the Expos for Zane Smith. Eight days later, Alou was sent over to complete the terms of the deal.

Alou would play for the Expos in 608 contests over the next six calendar years, hitting .292/.349/.489 with 84 dingers and 373 RBI, also making his first All Star appearance in 1994. On December 12, 1996, five days after being granted his free agency, Alou signed with the Marlins for five years and $25 million.

Alou’s lone season for the Marlins, 1997, would see him appear in a then-career-high 150 games and hit .292/.373/.493, with 23 home runs and a career-best 115 RBI. He also drew a career-second-best 70 walks while striking out 85 times for a pretty good K/BB of 1.21. His 3.5 WAR ranked him second of the Marlins non-pitchers, behind only Charles Johnson’s 4.4 mark.

Through the postseason, Alou went 13-for-57 with three homers and 15 RBI. He saved his best for the seven game World Series against the Indians, going nine-for-28 and clubbing all three homers with nine RBI as the Marlins claimed their first World Series Championship. Following the season, Alou was sent to the Houston Astros for Manuel Barrios, Oscar Henriquez, and Mark Johnson in trade.

Alou played three seasons with the Astros, followed by three with the Cubs, a pair of campaigns with the Giants, and two with the Mets to close out his career after the 2008 season. He retired with 332 home runs in 1,942 career contests.

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