Welcome home Sandy Alomar Jr.!

When the Indians announced in November that Sandy Alomar Jr. would be rejoining the organization as a first base coach, the nostalgia began pouring from Indians fans who yearn for the days when he, Omar Vizquel, Kenny Lofton, Jim Thome and Manny Ramirez patrolled the Jacob’s Field grasses on a daily basis. It’s hard not to think back on those 90s teams for hope and inspiration with the current club facing a rebuilding process not unlike the one that the team went through from 1990-1993. Sandy was a part of it all, from the deep dark season of 1991 when the Indians lost an incredible 105 games, to the even darker days of 1993 when a freak accident claimed the lives of Indians pitchers Steve Olin and Tim Crews. Alomar was also here for the glory days of 1995-2000 when the Indians organization was touted as among the finest in baseball. I’d like to share a few of the hi-lights of Sandy’s career for you as we continue our look at the coaches and players heading into the 2010 Spring Training.

Sandy Alomar Jr. began his career in 1988 as a member of the San Diego Padres organization, and was a highly touted catching prospect. He was part of a trade with the Padres after the 1989 season that sent Cleveland fan favorite Joe Carter to their club for Alomar, Carlos Baerga and Chris James. This would be the first of the many deals made by the club to restock itself with young prospects that could be molded into a contending club for the future.

Once Alomar hit Cleveland, his impact was immediately felt. He was the AL Rookie of the Year in 1990, became the first rookie catcher selected to start an all-star game, and won a gold glove in his first season with the Tribe. He responded with an equally strong 1991, earning another all-star selection that year and the following year in 1992. Unfortunately for the promising young catcher, Alomar suffered several knee and back injuries which hampered his abilities both behind and at the plate for the next three seasons. He did manage to contribute to the 1995 World Series team, and continued to show signs of progress in the 1996 season as well, being selected to another all-star team.

In 1997 Alomar entered camp healthy and focused. He began the season strong, and had one of the most magical years that any Indians catcher has ever had. That season, Alomar had a 30 game hitting streak (one game short of Nap Lajoie’s club record,) hitting safely in every game during the month of June. He batted .324 for the season with 21 home runs, 37 doubles and 83 runs batted in for the Tribe. He was also the hero of the all-star game (his 5th selection) hosted in Jacob’s Field. In the bottom of the 7th inning, Alomar cranked out a 2-run home run to an enormous ovation from his home-town crowd which would give the AL a 3-1 lead which they held for the rest of the game. Alomar was rewarded for his efforts with the MVP award for the game. In the post season, Alomar continued his success hitting .367 with 2 homers in the World Series.

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The following year in 1998, Alomar was again selected to the all-star game (his 6th selection as an Indian) but his playing time was again limited due to injuries for the next three seasons. He left the organization after the 2000 season and played for the White Sox, Rockies, Rangers, Dodgers and Mets before calling it a career in 2007. After retiring from active play, Alomar accepted a position as the catching instructor for the Mets organization in 2008, a position he has held for the past two seasons. He was inducted into the Cleveland Indians Hall of Fame in 2009, becoming the third member of the “magic years” inducted (Pitcher Charlie Nagy was inducted in 2007, and Manager Mike Hargrove in 2008.)

Alomar’s veteran presence will be a huge asset to the Indians organization this year. He will coach first base and work with the club’s young catching prospects Lou Marson, Wyatt Toregas and Carlos Santana during Spring Training. He will continue to work with the catchers throughout the regular season as well. For those of us who remember the golden days of Indians baseball in the 1990s, it will be good to see a familiar face back with the team, especially one who is familiar with the challenges ahead in the coming years to build this ball club back to prominence.

By Robert Gonzalez
Cleveland Indians Correspondent

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