SAN FRANCISCO -- Felipe Alou never envisioned it would happen this way, finishing up his baseball career right back where it all started nearly a half-century ago.

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. He calls himself a "soldier of this game."

"I'm going back home to where I started and, hopefully, I'm going to end it right there," Alou said.

The former manager of the Montreal Expos takes over for Dusty Baker and inherits a team that came within six outs of a World Series title.

The 67-year-old Alou, the bench coach for Detroit last season, agreed to a three-year contract and becomes the oldest manager in the major leagues. He was 691-717 in 10 seasons managing the Expos.

The popular Baker did not have his contract renewed by the Giants. Baker is talking with the Chicago Cubs about becoming their manager. Alou's son Moises plays for the Cubs.

Pleasantly surprised

"I was happily surprised," Moises said. "For him to get a job with a team like the Giants is awesome."

Alou 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. That's one of the highlights of his playing days in San Francisco, along with a string of nine consecutive hits.

"When I received the first notice that I might be the guy, or the club was interested in me, I was really shocked," he said. "I was working with a team in the Dominican Republic and was far from major league baseball."

It is the first time in nearly three decades that a manager takes over a pennant-winning team in the offseason. 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 calls himself a baseball soldier in conversation. He's more like baseball royalty to us."

Was fired by Expos

Alou was fired by the Expos during the 2001 season, and was with the Tigers this year.

He is a native of the Dominican Republic. The Giants had hoped to replace Baker, who is black, with another minority.

Shortstop Rich Aurilia appreciated the Giants' speed in hiring a manager. The team announced Baker would not return last Wednesday.

"We were a few steps behind other clubs having been in the World Series," Aurilia said. "It's nice to know that they went out and got somebody who's well respected around baseball and has done a good job with his teams."