Roberto Alomar

Roberto Alomar Velázquez (/ˈæləmɑːr/; Spanish pronunciation: [aloˈmaɾ]; born February 5, 1968)[1] is a Puerto Rican former second baseman who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for sixteen seasons, primarily with the Toronto Blue Jays. He is regarded as one of the greatest second basemen and all-around players.[2][3] During his career, the 12-time All-Star won more Gold Glove Awards (10) than any other second baseman in baseball history, in addition to winning four Silver Slugger Awards for his hitting.[4] Among second basemen, he ranks third in games played (2,320), fifth in stolen bases (474), sixth in plate appearances (10,400), seventh in doubles (504) and assists (6,524), and eighth in hits (2,724), runs (1,508), at-bats (9,073), and double plays turned (1,407). In 2011, Alomar was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame, becoming the first Hall of Fame member to be depicted as a Blue Jays player on his plaque.[5]

In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Alomar and the second or maternal family name is Velázquez.
Roberto Alomar
Alomar at the 2011 Hall of Fame Induction Parade
Second baseman
Born: (1968-02-05) February 5, 1968
Ponce, Puerto Rico
Batted: Switch
Threw: Right
MLB debut
April 22, 1988, for the San Diego Padres
Last MLB appearance
September 5, 2004, for the Chicago White Sox
MLB statistics
Batting average.300
Hits2,724
Home runs210
Runs batted in1,134
Stolen bases474
Teams
Career highlights and awards
Member of the National
Baseball Hall of Fame
Induction2011
Vote90.0% (second ballot)

The son of MLB second baseman Sandy Alomar Sr., Alomar followed in his father's footsteps, signing with the San Diego Padres as an amateur free agent in 1985. He made his major league debut with the team three years later, establishing himself as an exceptional base-stealing, hitting, and fielding threat before becoming an All-Star in 1990. He was traded to the Blue Jays the following off-season, leading the team to three consecutive American League Championship Series (ALCS) appearances and being named the 1992 ALCS Most Valuable Player (MVP), culminating in back-to-back World Series championships in 1992 and 1993. Alomar signed with the Baltimore Orioles after the 1995 season, led the team to two ALCS appearances, and won the 1998 All-Star Game MVP Award in his final year with the team. He then joined the Cleveland Indians for three seasons and had the most productive years of his career in 1999 and 2001, again leading his team to the playoffs and becoming an AL MVP Award finalist both years. Alomar spent the final years of his career with the New York Mets, the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Chicago White Sox, before retiring at spring training in 2005. A switch hitter, Alomar finished his career with a .300 batting average. Shortly after his 2011 Hall of Fame induction, the Blue Jays retired his number 12.

In 2021, Alomar was banned from baseball by MLB following an independent investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct, dating back to 2014.[6][7] In April 2021, the Blue Jays also announced that Alomar would be removed from the Level of Excellence and his retired number banner would be taken down at Rogers Centre.[8]

Early life

Alomar was born in Ponce, Puerto Rico, and raised in Salinas, Puerto Rico.[9] The son of Santos "Sandy" Alomar Sr. and María Velázquez, Alomar grew up in a baseball family.[1][10] He and his older brother Sandy Jr. were raised mostly by their mother, due to their father's career as a major league second baseman.[11] When school in Puerto Rico was out for the summer, they joined their father, who let his sons hang around the clubhouse, shag fly balls, and absorb the game—especially from his New York Yankees teammates, such as Thurman Munson and Graig Nettles.[12] Growing up, Alomar idolized his father and José Cruz, both of whom were All-Star players.[12][13]

Career

San Diego Padres

In 1985, Alomar signed with the San Diego Padres at age 17, and joined the team's Class-A affiliate, the Charleston Rainbows.[10] The following year, playing for the Reno Padres, he won the California League batting title with a .346 average.[10]

Alomar made his major league debut on April 22, 1988, against the Houston Astros, recording a hit in his first at bat, off of Nolan Ryan.[14] With the Padres, he established himself as a solid hitter and baserunner, and defensively, he displayed excellent lateral range and a powerful arm, often making spectacular plays on ground balls hit deep in the hole between first and second base, and on balls hit up the middle, well behind second base. He became an All-Star for the first time in 1990, as a reserve player for the National League.[10]

Toronto Blue Jays

"I don't think we'd have ever gone to the World Series in '92 if he didn't hit that home run off Eckersley in Oakland that day like 4:30 in the afternoon when you could hardly see at the plate [because of the shadows]."

– Pat Gillick, Hall of Famer and former Blue Jays general manager[15]

On December 5, 1990, Alomar and Joe Carter were traded to the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for Fred McGriff and Tony Fernández.[16] It was in Toronto that he developed into a premier offensive second baseman, combining a .300-plus batting average with power and high end speed on the bases. In 1991, he capitalized on his speed with 11 triples and 53 stolen bases, leading the team to its first of three consecutive playoff appearances.[17] The following year, he scored 105 runs, drew 87 walks, and had a .405 on-base percentage.[17] In 1993, Alomar had his best season with the Blue Jays, producing 17 home runs (HR), 93 runs batted in (RBI), and 55 stolen bases, while batting .326, third in the American League behind teammates John Olerud and Paul Molitor.[17] He was a central figure in Toronto's World Series championships in 1992 and 1993; in Game 6 of the 1992 World Series, he scored the series-winning run on Dave Winfield's two-run double in the 11th inning. Alomar's game-tying, ninth-inning home run against Oakland relief ace Dennis Eckersley, in Game 4 of the 1992 American League Championship Series (ALCS), is considered by many as the most important hit in the club's history,[15] as the team's three previous trips to the ALCS had ended in disappointment; he was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the series.[10] In 1995, he played 104 consecutive games without committing an error, setting an AL record for second basemen.[18] In each of his five seasons with the Blue Jays, Alomar was named to the All-Star team and won the Gold Glove Award.[17]

Baltimore Orioles
Alomar (left) with Ozzie Guillén during spring training, 1998

On December 21, 1995, Alomar signed with the Baltimore Orioles at a time when Toronto was looking to rebuild, while Baltimore was improving into a pennant-contending team. In Baltimore, he paired with Hall of Famer Cal Ripken Jr. to form a formidable double-play combination. Alomar appeared in the playoffs in 1996 and 1997 for the Orioles, hitting a series-winning home run in Game 4 of the 1996 American League Division Series (ALDS),[19] although the Orioles were defeated in the ALCS both years.[17] In 1998, he was named the Major League Baseball (MLB) All-Star Game MVP.[17]

Spitting incident

On September 27, 1996, during a game against the Blue Jays, Alomar got into a heated argument over a called third strike with umpire John Hirschbeck and spat in his face. He defended himself by saying Hirschbeck had uttered a racial slur and that Hirschbeck had been bitter since one son had died of ALD and another had been recently diagnosed as well. Upon hearing of Alomar's comments, Hirschbeck had to be physically restrained from confronting Alomar in the players' locker room.[20]

Alomar was suspended for the first five regular-season games in 1997 and donated $50,000 to ALD research. Alomar and Hirschbeck settled their differences publicly and made apologies to each other on April 22, 1997, standing at home plate and shaking hands in front of the crowd before an Orioles game.[21]

Cleveland Indians
Alomar with the Indians in Oakland

On November 24, 1998, Alomar signed a four-year contract with the Cleveland Indians,[16] joining his All-Star brother, Sandy Jr. It was in Cleveland that Alomar had two of his finest seasons. In 1999, he hit .323 and set career highs with 24 home runs, 120 RBI, 138 runs, 99 walks, a .422 on-base percentage and a .533 slugging percentage. In 2001, he batted .336/.415/.541, with 20 home runs, 100 RBI, and 30 steals.[17] Cleveland made the playoffs in 1999, losing in the ALDS to the Boston Red Sox; in 2001, they again made the playoffs, but lost to the Seattle Mariners in the ALDS. Alomar finished third in AL MVP voting in 1999 and fourth in 2001.[17]

On the field, Alomar teamed with shortstop Omar Vizquel to form another decorated middle infield combination. The Vizquel-Alomar duo won three consecutive Gold Gloves together, becoming one of just eight shortstop-second baseman duos to have accomplished this feat in the same year.

Alomar was traded to the New York Mets before the 2002 season, for pitcher Billy Traber and outfielders Matt Lawton and Alex Escobar.[17]

Last years of career

In 2002, Alomar hit only .266/.331/.376 with 53 RBI and 73 runs scored,[17] while falling apart defensively at second base. The Mets were puzzled by Alomar's mediocre play, which some attributed to his lack of comfort with being under the greater scrutiny of the New York fans and media. However, not even a midseason trade back to the American League to the Chicago White Sox in 2003 could revive Alomar from his funk. There was more misery ahead with the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2004, including a two-month disabled stint with a broken right hand. On August 5, Alomar returned to the White Sox, and hit just .263/.321/.392 in 56 games.[17]

Alomar agreed to a one-year contract with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays for the 2005 season. However, on March 19, 2005, after a spring training plagued by back and vision trouble, he announced his retirement.[2]

Legacy
Roberto Alomar's number 12 was retired by the Toronto Blue Jays in 2011.

Time called Alomar "the best second baseman of t[his] generation" and he is regarded as one of the greatest second basemen and all-around players of all time.[2][3] Known for his acrobatic and flamboyant style of defense, Alomar won 10 Gold Glove Awards, establishing a major league record for second basemen.[22][23] He ranks in the top 10 of several all-time categories for second basemen, including games played, stolen bases, plate appearances, doubles, assists, hits, runs, at bats, and double plays turned.[24][25] In a 17-year career, he was a .300/.371/.443 hitter with 210 home runs and 1,134 RBI; his .307 career batting average as a member of the Blue Jays is a franchise record.[17][26] He was the Blue Jays Player of the Year in 1991, 1992, and 1995, as well as the Cleveland Indians Man of the Year in 1999 and 2001.[27] A clutch hitter, Alomar had a .313 postseason average, including a .347 average in two World Series appearances.[17] His game-tying home run in Game 4 of the 1992 ALCS is often considered the most important hit in Blue Jays history, as it changed the fortunes of the franchise.[15][28]

Alomar was known for having a "sixth sense" or "sixth tool"—awareness—which distinguished him from other players.[29][30] His former manager Davey Johnson said of him, "He reminds me of some of the great players that I've played with, who seem like they write their own script  ... Frank Robinson's one, Henry Aaron was the other."[22] He became only the third Puerto Rican to be elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame, after Roberto Clemente and Orlando Cepeda, and has since been joined by Iván Rodríguez and Edgar Martínez.[31]

Post-playing honors and activities
Alomar's jersey retirement ceremony in Toronto on July 31, 2011

On April 4, 2008, Alomar was inducted into the Blue Jays Level of Excellence at Rogers Centre, prior to the team's home opener.[32]

In 2010, Alomar's first year of Hall of Fame eligibility, he missed induction by eight votes. His 73.7% of the vote was the highest percentage of votes in any player's first year on the ballot without being elected. Some baseball writers expressed shock that he failed to get in on the first ballot,[33] but many attributed the near-miss to sportswriters holding a grudge over the 1996 spitting incident with John Hirschbeck, including Alomar's brother Sandy Jr. and Hirschbeck himself.[34] He was elected to the Hall of Fame in his second year of eligibility, with 90% of the vote (523 of 581 ballots cast).[35] On July 24, 2011, Alomar was inducted into the Hall of Fame, becoming the first inductee to be depicted as a Blue Jays player on his plaque.[36]

On June 19, 2010, Alomar was inducted into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame in St. Marys, Ontario.[37]

The 2011 Caribbean Series was dedicated to him, which was followed by his induction into the Caribbean Baseball Hall of Fame.[38]

On March 31, 2011, Alomar was named as a special assistant to the Blue Jays organization.[39] The following year, he began hosting the annual Tournament 12 (T12) showcase at Rogers Centre for Canadian baseball prospects; major leaguers Josh Naylor, Mike Soroka, and Abraham Toro are alumni of the tournament.[40][41]

On July 31, 2011, the Blue Jays retired Alomar's number 12 at Rogers Centre. He was the first Blue Jay to be so honored.[42]

On August 3, 2013, Alomar was inducted into the Baltimore Orioles Hall of Fame.[19]

On November 12, 2013, Alomar launched a baseball equipment line, Alomar Baseball.[43]

On September 24, 2015, Alomar was inducted into the Ontario Sports Hall of Fame in Toronto.[44]

Alomar guest-starred on an episode of Canadian sitcom Mr. D in an episode when students ran an "Alomar for President" campaign during the Student Council Elections.[45]

In 2017, Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred named Alomar a special consultant, tasked with helping grow baseball in Puerto Rico.[46]

In July 2020, it was announced that Alomar was launching an expansion team in the Liga de Béisbol Profesional Roberto Clemente. The team, based in San Juan and named RA12 (after his initials and uniform number), began competing during the 2020–21 season.[47] He also became a member of the LBPRC Board of Directors.[47]

On April 30, 2021, Alomar was fired from both the Blue Jays and MLB amid reports that MLB was investigating claims that a female Blue Jays staffer claimed that Alomar had sexually harassed her in 2014. According to The Sports Network, the staffer was preparing to sue Alomar, the Blue Jays, and MLB.[48] Later on April 30, Manfred announced that following an investigation into those allegations that had taken several months, Alomar had been placed on MLB's ineligible list and banned from baseball. At the same time, the Blue Jays severed all ties with Alomar, removing his name from the "Level of Excellence" at the Rogers Centre and taking down his Hall of Fame banner. However, he will remain enshrined in the Hall of Fame. Alomar's number was officially unretired August 1, 2023 when newly-acquired pitcher Jordan Hicks donned number 12 and entered the game for the Blue Jays in the ninth inning.[49][50]

Through her lawyer, the Blue Jays employee announced she was dropping her suit.[51]

Personal life

Alomar married Puerto Rican model Maripily Rivera on June 1, 2009. The next year, Rivera alleged that she had been a victim of domestic violence on three occasions, including her life being threatened with a knife by Alomar, and she wanted to end the marriage. Alomar alleged that Rivera had threatened to divorce him unless he gave her half ownership of his Tampa residence.[52] The divorce was finalized on July 12, 2011, with a private settlement.[53][54]

In 1996, a Canadian woman who became obsessed with Alomar was sentenced to nine months in prison for plotting to murder him. She was arrested with a loaded gun after telling security at the SkyDome of her plans.[55]

Alomar has been sued by at least four women, including his ex-wife, for allegedly exposing them to HIV. He was in a relationship with professional tennis player Meghann Shaughnessy from 2004 to 2006, who claimed Alomar exposed her to HIV. The lawyer of Alomar's ex-wife stated Alomar paid $4 million in settlements to Shaughnessy and Ilya Dall, another ex-girlfriend.[52]

On December 12, 2012, Alomar married Toronto native Kim Perks at the Art Gallery of Ontario.[56] Their first daughter was born in 2014.[57] The Alomars reside in Toronto.[58]

Awards and highlights
Alomar's 1994 Gold Glove Award

Awards
Award / Honor Time(s) Date(s)
MLB All-Star 12 1990–2001
AL Gold Glove Award (2B) 10 (MLB Record) 1991–96, 1998–2001
AL Silver Slugger Award (2B) 4 1992, 1996, 1999, 2000
Toronto Blue Jays Player of the Year 3 1991, 1992, 1995
Cleveland Indians Man of the Year 2 1999, 2001
ALCS Most Valuable Player 1 1992
MLB All-Star Game Most Valuable Player 1 1998

Statistical highlights

League leader

Other milestones

  • batted over .300 nine times (1992–97, 1999–2001)
  • posted an on-base percentage over .400 five times (1992, 1993, 1996, 1999, 2001)
  • scored 100 or more runs six times (1992, 1993, 1996, 1999–2001)
  • drove in 100 or more runs twice (1999, 2001)
  • stole 30 or more bases eight times (1989, 1991–93, 1995, 1999–2001)

See also

References
  1. Porter, David L. (2004). Latino and African American athletes today: a biographical dictionary. Greenwood Publishing Group. p. 20. ISBN 978-0-313-32048-4. Retrieved April 13, 2010.
  2. "12-time All-Star retires; has back, vision problems". ESPN. ESPN Internet Ventures. Associated Press. March 19, 2005. Archived from the original on January 31, 2009. Retrieved May 23, 2009.
  3. Namee, Matthew (June 28, 2004). "Roberto Alomar: A Forgotten Legend?". The Hardball Times. Archived from the original on April 14, 2009. Retrieved May 23, 2009.
  4. "Silver Slugger Award Winners – National League". Baseball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on April 18, 2009. Retrieved May 23, 2009.
  5. Kepner, Tyler (January 5, 2011). "Roberto Alomar and Bert Blyleven Elected to Hall of Fame". The New York Times.
  6. Keegan Matheson. "MLB puts Roberto Alomar on Ineligible List". Major League Baseball. Retrieved April 30, 2021. At my office's request, an independent investigation was conducted by an external legal firm to review an allegation of sexual misconduct reported by a baseball industry employee earlier this year involving Mr. Alomar in 2014.
  7. Davidi, Shi (April 30, 2021). "MLB, Blue Jays sever ties with Roberto Alomar after sexual misconduct investigation". Sports Net.
  8. "Club statements on Roberto Alomar". Major League Baseball. Retrieved June 3, 2021. The Blue Jays are committed to advancing respect and equity in baseball and are taking further action by removing Alomar from the Level of Excellence and taking down his banner at Rogers Centre.
  9. Van Hyning, Thomas E.; Eduardo Valero (2004). Puerto Rico's Winter League: A History of Major League Baseball's Launching Pad. McFarland. p. 111. ISBN 978-0-7864-1970-8. Retrieved April 13, 2010.
  10. Britton, John A (2002) [1992]. Dawson, Dawn P (ed.). Great Athletes. Vol. 1 (Revised ed.). Salem Press. pp. 49–51. ISBN 1-58765-008-8.
  11. Roberto Alomar Biography. {{cite book}}: |website= ignored (help)
  12. Lubinger, Bill (July 19, 2011). "Roberto Alomar's long route to Cooperstown glory ran through Cleveland". Cleveland.com. Retrieved August 5, 2013.
  13. Kepner, Tyler (January 4, 2010). "Roberto Alomar Awaits the Hall's Call". The New York Times. Retrieved August 5, 2013.
  14. Houston Astros at San Diego Padres Box Score, April 22, 1988 Baseball-Reference.com. Accessed on April 29, 2019.
  15. Gillick, Alomar fittingly enter Hall together MLB.com. Accessed on February 24, 2012.
  16. "Roberto Alomar". baseballbiography.com. Retrieved May 23, 2009.
  17. Roberto Alomar Baseball-Reference.com. Accessed on June 27, 2019.
  18. Second to None The Baltimore Sun. Accessed on July 9, 2019.
  19. MLB: Robbie Alomar enters Orioles Hall of Fame Toronto Star. Accessed on June 27, 2019.
  20. Wulf, Steve (June 24, 2001). "The Spit Hits The Fan". Time Magazine. Archived from the original on February 14, 2009. Retrieved July 9, 2009.
  21. Maske, Mark (April 23, 1997). "ALOMAR, HIRSCHBECK SHAKE HANDS". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved November 10, 2022.
  22. Roberto Alomar National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. Accessed on June 27, 2019.
  23. MLB National League Gold Glove Award Winners Baseball-Reference.com. Accessed on June 27, 2019.
  24. Roberto Alomar – Appearances on Leaderboards, Awards, and Honors Baseball-Reference.com. Accessed on June 27, 2019.
  25. Second Base JAWS Leaders Baseball-Reference.com. Accessed on June 27, 2019.
  26. Toronto Blue Jays – Statistics MLB.com. Accessed on June 27, 2019.
  27. Cleveland Indians Man of the Year Award Baseball-Almanac.com. Accessed on July 7, 2019.
  28. Roberto Alomar Recalls His Game 4 1992 ALCS Home Run National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. Accessed on June 27, 2019.
  29. Roberto Alomar's long route to Cooperstown glory ran through Cleveland Cleveland.com. Accessed on June 27, 2019.
  30. Howarth, Jerry (2019). Hello, Friends!: Stories from My Life and Blue Jays Baseball. ECW Press. ISBN 9-78177305-353-0.
  31. Why two MLB managers hugged it out in Boston today Quartz. Accessed on June 27, 2019.
  32. Jays add Alomar, Beeston to Level of Excellence Toronto Star. Accessed on June 27, 2019.
  33. Rosenthal, Ken (January 7, 2010). "Snub of Alomar exposes flaw in voting". Fox Sports. Retrieved August 24, 2018.
  34. "Eight votes shy, Alomar 'disappointed'". Major League Baseball. Archived from the original on October 26, 2011. Retrieved July 23, 2011.
  35. "News - 2010 BBWAA Election Results". community.baseballhall.org.
  36. Torres, Adry (July 24, 2011). "Roberto Alomar Enters Hall of Fame". Fox News.
  37. nurun.com. "Alomar, Quantrill inducted in Hall of Fame". The London Free Press. Archived from the original on June 23, 2010. Retrieved October 4, 2018.
  38. Ribas, Fernando (January 26, 2011). "Dedican Serie del Caribe a Roberto Alomar". El Nuevo Dia (in Spanish). El Nuevo Dia. Retrieved January 26, 2011.
  39. Jays name Roberto Alomar special assistant The Globe and Mail Accessed on June 27, 2019.
  40. Alomar likes potential he sees at Tournament 12 MLB.com. Accessed on June 27, 2019.
  41. Astros are bullish on Canadian prospect Abraham Toro Toronto Star. Accessed on September 1, 2019.
  42. "Blue Jays to retire Alomar's No. 12". The Toronto Star. July 19, 2011. Archived from the original on April 26, 2016. Retrieved July 20, 2011.
  43. Robbie Alomar unveils baseball equipment line Toronto Sun. Accessed on June 27, 2019.
  44. "Roberto Alomar". oshof.ca. Ontario Sports Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on August 20, 2019. Retrieved April 7, 2016.
  45. Comedy, CBC (November 21, 2018). "8 great athlete guest stars on 'Mr. D'".
  46. "R. Alomar named MLB special consultant in Puerto Rico". MLB.com. Retrieved November 10, 2022.
  47. "Hall of Famer Roberto Alomar to launch expansion club in Puerto Rican pro league LBPRC". World Baseball Softball Confederation. July 14, 2020. Retrieved June 15, 2022.
  48. Rick Westhead (April 30, 2021). "MLB, Blue Jays fire Alomar after workplace complaint". The Sports Network.
  49. Sam Jarden (July 31, 2023). "Why is Jordan Hicks wearing No. 12 for Blue Jays? How Roberto Alomar's former number was unretired". Sporting News.
  50. Rob Longley (July 31, 2023). "Surging Orioles batter Blue Jays as blowout win spoils return of Ryu". Toronto Sun.
  51. "Roberto Alomar placed on MLB ineligible list over 2014 sexual misconduct allegation". ESPN. August 1, 2023.
  52. Fish, Mike (December 1, 2012). "Drama follows retired baseball All-Star". ESPN.
  53. Vargas, Patricia (July 12, 2011). "Maripily divorciada y millonaria". El Nuevo Día.
  54. Gómez, María Gabriela (July 12, 2011). "Maripily ya esta divorciada". Primera Hora.
  55. "Jurisprudence". The Los Angeles Times. March 14, 1996. p. 57. Retrieved March 31, 2023.
  56. Elliott, Bob (December 12, 2012). "Hall of Famer Roberto Alomar marries in Toronto on 12-12-12". Toronto Sun.
  57. "Se convierte en padre Roberto Alomar". El Nuevo Día. April 11, 2014. Retrieved April 12, 2014.
  58. Roberto Alomar impressed by Jose Reyes SLAM! Sports. Accessed on June 20, 2013.
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