Sandy Alomar Sr., an All-Star infielder during his playing days in the 1960s and ’70s who went on to coach in the majors and manage in his native Puerto Rico, has died. He was 81.
A spokesperson for the Cleveland Guardians said Monday that the team was informed by Alomar’s family about his death. Sandy Alomar Jr., who along with Hall of Fame brother Roberto Alomar played for their father in winter ball and in the minors, is on the Guardians’ staff.
“Our thoughts are with the Alomar family today as the baseball community mourns his passing,” the Guardians posted on social media.
Alomar broke into the big leagues in 1964 with the Milwaukee Braves, one of six teams he played for. He also spent time with the New York Mets, Chicago White Sox, California Angels, New York Yankees and Texas Rangers before calling it a career in 1978.
Known more for his speed and fielding than his hitting, Alomar batted .245 with 13 home runs and 282 RBIs in 1,481 regular-season games.
He was named an All-Star in 1970. He stole 227 bases, including a career-high 39 in 1971, when he led the American League with 689 at-bats and 739 plate appearances, and took part in one playoff series with the Yankees in ’76.
Alomar went into coaching in San Diego’s system in the ’80s and was the Padres’ third-base coach from 1986 to 1990. He coached for the Chicago Cubs, Colorado Rockies and the Mets in the 2000s.