Sandy Alomar Sr., a former All-Star infielder who spent 15 seasons in Major League Baseball before becoming a respected coach and manager, died on Monday, October 13, 2025, in his native Puerto Rico. He was 81 years old, just days away from his 82nd birthday on October 19.
The Major League Baseball organization announced his passing on Monday, with the Cleveland Guardians (previously the Cleveland Indians) confirming they were notified by Alomar’s family. His son, Sandy Alomar Jr., currently serves on the Guardians’ staff.
Born in Salinas, Puerto Rico, Alomar, one of eight children, signed with the Milwaukee Braves for approximately $12,000 before the 1960 season. He made his major league debut with the Braves on September 15, 1964, at age 20, appearing in 19 games during the season’s final stretch.
Throughout his playing career, Alomar suited up for six different teams: the Milwaukee and Atlanta Braves, New York Mets, Chicago White Sox, California Angels, New York Yankees, and Texas Rangers. His most productive years came with the Angels, where he played from 1969 through 1973 and earned his only All-Star selection in 1970. During that stretch, he appeared in 648 consecutive games before breaking his leg in September 1973.
Known primarily for his speed and defensive prowess rather than his bat, Alomar accumulated impressive stolen base numbers during an era when base stealing was less prevalent. He swiped 35 bases in 1970 and reached a career-high 39 stolen bases in 1971. That same season, he led the American League with 689 at-bats and 739 plate appearances, showcasing his durability and everyday value to his team.
Alomar’s only postseason appearance came with the New York Yankees in 1976, when the team reached the World Series. He appeared in two games during the American League Championship Series against the Kansas City Royals, going 0-for-1 with a caught stealing. The Yankees ultimately fell to the Cincinnati Reds in the World Series that year.
Over his 15-year career spanning from 1964 to 1978, Alomar played 1,481 games and posted a .245 batting average with a .290 on-base percentage. He finished with 1,168 hits, 13 home runs, 126 doubles, 19 triples, 282 RBIs, and 227 stolen bases. The versatile infielder played primarily second base and shortstop, appearing in 1,156 games at second, 197 at short, 43 at third, 14 at first, eight in the outfield, and 43 as a designated hitter.
Following his retirement as a player in 1978, Alomar transitioned seamlessly into coaching and managing. He spent time leading teams in the Puerto Rican Winter League and managed the Puerto Rican national team. His coaching career in professional baseball’s minor leagues included stints with the Chicago Cubs, San Diego Padres, Colorado Rockies, and New York Mets organizations.
Alomar served as the Padres’ third-base coach from 1986 to 1990, and later coached for the Cubs, Rockies, and Mets into the 2000s. His coaching career extended until 2009, allowing him to contribute to the game for more than five decades.
Perhaps most notably, Alomar was instrumental in developing the careers of his two sons, both of whom became major league stars. In 1988, while working with the Padres organization, he witnessed both Sandy Jr. and Roberto make their major league debuts with San Diego. He had previously managed both sons in Winter League play and in the minor leagues, helping them refine their considerable talents.
Sandy Alomar Jr. enjoyed a 20-year career as a catcher, earning the 1990 American League Rookie of the Year award and six All-Star selections. Roberto Alomar became one of baseball’s elite second basemen, earning 12 All-Star selections and 10 Gold Glove awards before his induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2011. Alomar and his wife, Maria, also had a daughter named Sandia.
Tony Clark, Executive Director of the MLB Players Association, noted that the baseball world suffered a great loss with Alomar’s passing, emphasizing his impact spanning more than five decades as a player, manager, coach, and ambassador for the game in Puerto Rico.
The Yankees released a statement expressing their condolences. The Guardians posted on social media: “Our thoughts are with the Alomar family today as the baseball community mourns his passing.”