Sandy Alomar Sr.

Professional baseball career

Alomar signed as an amateur free agent with the Milwaukee Braves in 1960. He began his professional career in 1961 with the Class D Davenport Braves, playing shortstop and batting .278 in 77 games. His fielding percentage was below .900 in both seasons. Promoted to Double-A Austin in 1963, he batted .292 with five home runs, 84 runs, 65 RBIs, and 15 stolen bases, while his fielding percentage at shortstop rose to .917.

In 1964, he moved to Triple-A Denver, where he hit .263 with 86 runs, 40 RBIs, three home runs, and 20 stolen bases in 34 attempts, and his fielding percentage improved to .944. He made his major league debut with the Braves on September 15, 1964, recording a base hit in his first game and playing 19 games at shortstop that season. In 1965, he split time between the Braves and Triple-A Atlanta, batting below .250 for both clubs. He spent most of 1966 with Triple-A Richmond, batting .243 in over 400 plate appearances while playing third base, shortstop, and second base; with the Braves that year he hit .091 in 31 games.

On February 25, 1967, he was part of a trade that sent Eddie Mathews and Arnold Umbach to Houston for Dave Nicholson and Bob Bruce. Before the 1967 season began, he was traded to the New York Mets for Derrell Griffith. He played most of 1967 with the Mets' Triple-A affiliate Jacksonville Suns, batting .209 while playing all four infield positions, and appeared in 15 games for the Mets, going hitless in 22 at-bats. He considered quitting baseball but continued to play to support his family.

Manager and coach

After his playing days, Alomar took up managing in Puerto Rico and the minor leagues. While with the Chicago Cubs organization, he managed the San Juan Senators in the Puerto Rican Winter League, where he managed his son Roberto.

Legacy and death

Sandy Alomar Sr. and his wife Maria raised three children, including future major leaguers Sandy Jr. and Roberto. The boys spent their childhood around baseball in Puerto Rico and the United States, even playing tapeball with Barry Bonds in the Texas Rangers clubhouse. Alomar Sr. passed away in Salinas on October 13, 2025, at age 81, and was laid to rest at Salinas Municipal Cemetery.

Did You Know?

• Alomar was the Pioneer League's Most Valuable Player in 1962 while playing for the Class C Boise Braves.
• He played in 648 consecutive games for the California Angels from May 16, 1969, through May 20, 1973, earning the nickname 'Iron Pony' from teammates.
• Alomar led the American League in plate appearances in both 1970 (735) and 1971 (739).
• He was caught stealing by Royals catcher Buck Martinez in Game 5 of the 1976 ALCS, and was standing on-deck when Chris Chambliss hit the series-winning home run.