| Roberto Alomar | |
|---|---|
 Alomar in 2011 | |
| Second baseman | |
| Born: (1968-02-05)February 5, 1968 (age 57) 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 |
| Hits | 2,724 |
| Home runs | 210 |
| Runs batted in | 1,134 |
| Stolen bases | 474 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| |
| Member of the National | |
 Baseball Hall of Fame | |
| Induction | 2011 |
| Vote | 90.0% (second ballot) |
Roberto Alomar Velázquez (/ˈæləmɑːr/;Spanish pronunciation:[aloˈmaɾ]; born February 5, 1968)[1] is aPuerto Rican formersecond baseman who played inMajor League Baseball (MLB) for seventeen seasons. He is regarded as one of the greatest second basemen in baseball history and overall players of his generation.[2][3] During his career, the 12-timeAll-Star won moreGold Glove Awards (10) than any other second baseman in baseball history, in addition to winning fourSilver Slugger Awards for his hitting.[4] Among second basemen, he ranks third ingames played (2,320), fifth instolen bases (474), sixth inplate appearances (10,400), seventh indoubles (504) andassists (6,524), and eighth inhits (2,724),runs (1,508),at-bats (9,073), anddouble plays turned (1,407). In2011, Alomar was inducted into theNational Baseball Hall of Fame.[5]
The son of MLB second basemanSandy Alomar Sr., Alomar followed in his father's footsteps, signing with theSan 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 theToronto Blue Jays the following off-season, leading the team to three consecutiveAmerican League Championship Series (ALCS) appearances and being named the 1992ALCS Most Valuable Player (MVP), culminating in back-to-backWorld Series championships in1992 and1993. Alomar signed with theBaltimore Orioles after the 1995 season, led the team to two ALCS appearances, and won the 1998All-Star Game MVP Award in his final year with the team. He then joined theCleveland 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 anAL MVP Award finalist both years. Alomar spent the final years of his career with theNew York Mets, theArizona Diamondbacks and theChicago White Sox, before retiring atspring training in 2005. Aswitch hitter, Alomar finished his career with a .300batting average. Shortly after his 2011 Hall of Fame induction, the Blue Jays retired his number 12.
In 2021, Alomar wasbanned from baseball by MLB following an independent investigation into an allegation of sexual misconduct, dating back to 2014.[6][7] In April 2021, the Blue Jays also announced that Alomar would be removed from theLevel of Excellence and his retired number banner would be taken down atRogers Centre.[8] The Blue Jays have reactivated the uniform number 12, and it has been used byJordan Hicks in 2023. Alomar remains the only player to currently be a member of both the Baseball Hall of Fame and MLB's permanently-ineligible list simultaneously.
Alomar was born inPonce, Puerto Rico toSantos "Sandy" Alomar Sr. and María Velázquez. He grew up inSalinas, Puerto Rico[9] in a baseball family.[1][10] He and his older brotherSandy Jr. did not see their father that often and lived with 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 knowledge of the game—especially from hisNew York Yankees teammates includingThurman Munson andGraig Nettles.[12] As a youth, Alomar idolized his father andJosé Cruz, both of whom were All-Star players.[12][13]
In 1985, Alomar signed with theSan Diego Padres at age 17, and joined the team's Class-A affiliate, theCharleston Rainbows.[10] The following year, playing for theReno Padres, he won theCalifornia League batting title with a .346 average.[10]
Alomar made his major league debut on April 22, 1988, against theHouston Astros, recording ahit in his firstat bat, off ofNolan 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 theNational League.[10]
"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]."
On December 5, 1990, Alomar andJoe Carter were traded to theToronto Blue Jays in exchange forFred McGriff andTony Fernández.[16] It was in Toronto that he developed into a premier offensive second baseman, combining a .300-plusbatting average with power and high end speed on the bases. In 1991, he capitalized on his speed with 11triples and 53stolen bases, leading the team to its first of three consecutive playoff appearances.[16] The following year, he scored 105runs, drew 87walks, and had a .405on-base percentage.[16] In 1993, Alomar had his best season with the Blue Jays, producing 17home runs (HR), 93runs batted in (RBI), and 55 stolen bases, while batting .326, third in theAmerican League behind teammatesJohn Olerud andPaul Molitor.[16] He was a central figure in Toronto'sWorld Series championships in1992 and1993; in Game 6 of the 1992 World Series, he scored the series-winning run onDave Winfield's two-rundouble in the 11th inning. Alomar's game-tying, ninth-inning home run againstOakland relief aceDennis Eckersley, in Game 4 of the1992 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 theMost Valuable Player (MVP) of the series.[10] In 1995, he played 104 consecutive games without committing anerror, setting an AL record for second basemen.[17] In each of his five seasons with the Blue Jays, Alomar was named to the All-Star team and won the Gold Glove Award.[16]
On December 21, 1995, Alomar signed with theBaltimore 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 FamerCal 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 the1996 American League Division Series (ALDS),[18] although the Orioles were defeated in the ALCS both years.[16] In 1998, he was named theMajor League Baseball (MLB)All-Star Game MVP.[16]
On September 27, 1996, during a game against the Blue Jays, Alomar got into a heated argument over a called third strike with umpireJohn 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 ofALD 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.[19]
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.[20]
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On November 24, 1998, Alomar signed a four-year contract with theCleveland Indians, 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 .533slugging percentage. In 2001, he batted .336/.415/.541, with 20 home runs, 100 RBI, and 30 steals.[16] Cleveland made the playoffs in 1999,losing in the ALDS to the Boston Red Sox; in 2001, they again made the playoffs, butlost to the Seattle Mariners in the ALDS. Alomar finished third inAL MVP voting in 1999 and fourth in 2001.[16]
On the field, Alomar teamed withshortstopOmar 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 theNew York Mets before the 2002 season, for pitcherBilly Traber andoutfieldersMatt Lawton andAlex Escobar.[16]
In 2002, Alomar hit only .266/.331/.376 with 53 RBI and 73 runs scored,[16] 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 theChicago White Sox in 2003 could revive Alomar from his funk. There was more misery ahead with theArizona 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.[16]
Alomar agreed to a one-year contract with theTampa Bay Devil Rays for the 2005 season. However, on March 19, 2005, after aspring training plagued by back and vision trouble, he announced his retirement.[2]
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.[21][22] He ranks in the top 10 of several all-time categories for second basemen, includinggames played, stolen bases,plate appearances, doubles,assists, hits, runs, at bats, and double plays turned.[23][24] 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 afranchise record.[16][25] He was theBlue Jays Player of the Year in 1991, 1992, and 1995, as well as theCleveland Indians Man of the Year in 1999 and 2001.[26] Aclutch hitter, Alomar had a .313postseason average, including a .347 average in two World Series appearances.[16] 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][27]
Alomar was known for having a "sixth sense" or "sixth tool"—awareness—which distinguished him from other players.[12][28] His former managerDavey 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."[21] He became only the third Puerto Rican to be elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame, afterRoberto Clemente andOrlando Cepeda, and has since been joined byIván Rodríguez andEdgar Martínez.[29]
On April 4, 2008, Alomar was inducted into the Blue JaysLevel of Excellence atRogers Centre, prior to the team's home opener.[30] He has since been removed from the Blue Jays Level of Excellence due to an allegation of sexual misconduct.[31]
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,[32] 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.[33][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 theCanadian Baseball Hall of Fame inSt. Marys, Ontario.[37] The2011 Caribbean Series was dedicated to him and the series was followed by his induction into theCaribbean Baseball Hall of Fame.[38] On March 31, 2011, he was named as a special assistant with the Blue Jays.[39] In 2012, he began hosting the annual Tournament 12 (T12) showcase at Rogers Centre for Canadian baseball prospects; major leaguersJosh Naylor,Mike Soroka, andAbraham 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] The number has since been unretired after the Blue Jays severed all ties to him due to an allegation of sexual misconduct.[43][44]
On August 3, 2013, Alomar was inducted into theBaltimore Orioles Hall of Fame.[18] On November 12, 2013, he launched a baseball equipment line, Alomar Baseball.[45] On September 24, 2015, Alomar was inducted into theOntario Sports Hall of Fame in Toronto.[46] He guest-starred on an episode of Canadian sitcomMr. D in an episode when students ran an "Alomar for President" campaign during the Student Council Elections.[47] In 2017,MLB CommissionerRob Manfred named Alomar a special consultant, tasked with helping grow baseball in Puerto Rico.[48] In July 2020, it was announced that Alomar was launching an expansion team in theLiga de Béisbol Profesional Roberto Clemente. The team, based inSan Juan and namedRA12 (after his initials and uniform number), began competing during the 2020–21 season.[49] He also became a member of the LBPRC Board of Directors.[49]
On April 30, 2021, Alomar was fired from both the Blue Jays and MLB amid reports that MLB was investigating a claim from a female Blue Jays staffer that Alomar had sexually harassed her in 2014. According toThe Sports Network, the staffer was preparing to sue Alomar, the Blue Jays, and MLB.[50] Later on April 30, Manfred announced that following an investigation into that allegation that had taken several months, Alomar had been placed on MLB'sineligible list. At the same time, the Blue Jays severed all ties with Alomar, removing his name from the "Level of Excellence" at the Rogers Centre, taking down his Hall of Fame banner and returning his #12 jersey to circulation. However, he remains enshrined in the Hall of Fame. Alomar's number was officially unretired August 1, 2023 when newly acquired pitcherJordan Hicks donned number 12 and entered the game for the Blue Jays in the ninth inning.[43][44]
After the actions taken by MLB and the Blue Jays, the complainant declined to pursue further legal action.[51]
Alomar and Puerto Rican modelMaripily Rivera were married on June 1, 2009. In 2010, 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]
On December 12, 2012, Alomar married Kim Perks, fromToronto at theArt Gallery of Ontario.[55] Their first daughter was born in 2014[56] and they live in Toronto.[57]
In 1996, aCanadian 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 theSkyDome of her plans.[58]
Alomar has been sued by at least four women, including his ex-wife, for allegedly exposing them toHIV. He was in a relationship with professional tennis playerMeghann Shaughnessy from 2004 to 2006, and she 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][59]
| Award / Honor | Time(s) | Date(s) |
|---|---|---|
| MLB All-Star | 12 | 1990–2001 |
| ALGold Glove Award (2B) | 10(MLB Record) | 1991–96, 1998–2001 |
| ALSilver 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 |
League leader
Other milestones
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.
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.
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Other | |
