The Associated Press

SAN FRANCISCO - Felipe Alou never envisioned it would happen this way, finishing up his baseball career 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.

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 RBI. 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.