The best talent in any sport event, including baseball, football, or any other sport is discovered, nurtured, and groomed only by a committed coach. The importance of a good coach in any sport event cannot be over emphasized in view of the fierce competition and innovative and dynamic techniques the present day sport is subject to. It is in this context the towering personality of Sandy Alomar still lingers in the vivid memory of many MLB fans. Santos Alomar Conde, later known as the Sandy Alomar Sr., thanks to the popularity of his illustrious son Sandy Jr, was born on October 19, 1943 in Salinas, Puerto Rico. He was known to the world of baseball as a promising player. With his debut on September 15th, 1964, Sandy had never looked back until he took out his baseball uniform for the final game of his Major League career on the historic day of September 30, 1978. During his illustrious sport career, spanning over 14 eventful years, Sandy the pet of many baseball lovers, played for many teams. He started as the second baseman in the Milwaukee and Atlanta Braves during 1964 to 1966, followed with the New York Mets and Chicago White Sox between 1967 and 1969, with the California Angels during the colorful years of 1969-1974 and finished in New York with the Yankees and with the Texas Rangers between 1974 and 1978. In technical language he was a switch hitter and was right handed. This player who turned to coaching was fortunate enough to play every position, but in the majors he was a pitcher and catcher. He happened to be the California Angels second baseman throughout his career with them started with when he joined the team, and played 648 consecutive games. His record leading the league in 1971 was 689 at bats, an AL record for a switch hitter though it was broken later, is still a land mark in his career. His term as a manager in his native Puerto Rico, and as a coach for the Padres, is well known. In his later assignment he coached his relatives. The two illustrious sons are Roberto, an infielder, and Sandy, Jr. a catcher, and are both players a coach and father can be proud of. |
