Fred Early McAlister Jr.[1] (March 1, 1928 – November 23, 2008) was an American minor league baseball player and later a scout and front-office executive in Major League Baseball (MLB) who spent 63 years in the St. Louis Cardinals organization.

[2][3] Listed at 6 feet 1 inch (1.85 m) and 185 pounds (84 kg), he batted and threw right-handed.

[2] During 1155 minor league games, he had appearances at all infield positions and also in left field.

[5] Whitey Herzog, who had managed the team from 1980 to 1990, noted McAlister's ability to find talent, stating that "Every year we'd be picking between 15th and 22nd, but he'd always have his first-rounder get to the big leagues."

[4] He was survived by his wife, Patty Neal Hunter McAlister, three daughters and three step-children.