Sandy Alomar Jr.

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Alomar was a highly regarded catcher in the San Diego organization after being named Baseball America Minor League Player of the Year in both 1988 and 1989, but was blocked behind Benito Santiago at the Major League level. After two short call-ups with the Padres, he finally got his chance at an everyday job after being traded to Cleveland after the 1989 season along with Carlos Baerga and Chris James, in exchange for power-hitter Joe Carter. Once in Cleveland, he established his reputation as a skilled defensive player by becoming the first rookie catcher to start an All-Star game, as well as winning both Rookie of the Year honors and a Gold Glove Award. He became the fourth catcher in Major League history to win a Gold Glove Award in his rookie season, joining Johnny Bench, Carlton Fisk, and Thurman Munson. In 1997, he batted .324 and was the MVP of the All-Star game in his home ballpark (Jacobs Field), hitting a game-deciding two-run home run off Shawn Estes in the bottom of the seventh inning of a 3–1 American League win; he was the first player to hit an All-Star game home run in his home stadium since Pedro Guerrero in 1983. He also put together a 30-game hitting streak and helped lead Cleveland to their third straight postseason appearance. In the Division Series against the New York Yankees, Alomar hit .316 with two home runs, including a game-tying shot off Mariano Rivera in the eighth inning of Game 4. Though he was less effective against the Baltimore Orioles in the ALCS, he still provided a game-winning hit in the ninth inning of Game 4. The Indians lost the World Series to the Florida Marlins, but not on account of Alomar, who hit .367 with two home runs.

In Their Own Story

In 1997, everything finally came together for Alomar at Jacobs Field. He batted .324 and was named the MVP of the All-Star game in his home ballpark, hitting a game-deciding two-run home run off Shawn Estes to the left field bleachers in the bottom of the seventh inning. This made him the first player to hit an All-Star game home run in his home stadium since Hank Aaron in 1972. He also put together a 30-game hitting streak, one short of Nap Lajoie's franchise record. During the Division Series against the New York Yankees, Alomar hit .316 with two home runs, including a game-tying shot off Mariano Rivera. Although the Indians lost the World Series to the Florida Marlins that year, Alomar performed well, hitting .367 with two home runs.

Reader's Guide

Alomar left the Indians as a free agent after the 2000 season and played in a limited role with the Chicago White Sox, Colorado Rockies, Texas Rangers, Los Angeles Dodgers, and New York Mets. On August 1, 2009, the Indians inducted Alomar to the organization's Hall of Fame. After his playing career, he served as catching instructor for the New York Mets organization in 2008 and 2009, then as first base coach for the Cleveland Indians under Manny Acta in 2010. He was promoted to bench coach for the 2012 season, and on September 27, 2012, he was promoted to interim manager after Acta was fired, finishing with a record of three wins and three losses. He returned as bench coach under Terry Francona in 2013, later becoming first base coach. In 2020, Alomar served as acting manager for 46 games when Francona left the team due to gastrointestinal trouble and surgery, compiling a 28–18 record.

Did You Know?

• Alomar was the first rookie catcher to start an All-Star game.
• He won both Rookie of the Year and a Gold Glove in his rookie season.
• He hit a game-deciding two-run home run in the 1997 All-Star Game at his home ballpark, Jacobs Field.
• He had a 30-game hitting streak in 1997, one short of Nap Lajoie's franchise record.
• He hit .367 with two home runs in the 1997 World Series despite the Indians losing.