Name: Santos (Sandy) Alomar, Sr.
Nickname: Iron Pony
Bats: Switch hitter
Throws: Right
Position: Second baseman
Number(s): 1,2,4,24
Years Played As an Angel: 1969-1974
Angels’ Stats: 3,054 AB’s, 8 HR’s, 162 RBI’s, 139 SB’s, .248 Avg.
Career Stats: 4,760 AB’s, 13 HR’s, 282 RBI’s, 227 SB’s, .245 Avg.
How He Was Acquired: Traded from Chicago White Sox in 1969 with Bobby Priddy for Bobby Knoop.
Why You Should Know Him: Born in Salinas Puerto Rico, Alomar Sr., a second baseman, played for six different major league clubs: Milwaukee and Atlanta Braves (1964-66); New York Mets (1967); Chicago White Sox (1967-69); California Angels (1969-74); New York Yankees (1974-76) and Texas Rangers (1977-78). He is also the father of former major league players Roberto (second base) and Sandy Jr. (Catcher). Primarily a second baseman, Alomar was able to play all infield and outfield positions.
Alomar holds the Angels single season record for at bats (689 in 1971). He stole a career high of 42 bases while with the Angels (also in 1971). And, during his career with the Angels he had a stretch where he played in 648 consecutive games.
Alomar turned a double play to end the game in Clyde Wright’s no hitter in 1970 and was the second baseman in 1973 when with the Angels Nolan Ryan threw his first two of his career seven no hitters.
After retiring, Alomar coached in Puerto Rico and in the majors with the Chicago Cubs, Colorado Rockies and San Diego Padres. At one time with the Padres, Alomar coached his two sons Sandy Jr. And Roberto.
Memorable Moments/Games: Was an All Star in 1970. Sandy set a big league mark in 1971 by going to the plate 739 times (689 at-bats) without being hit by a pitch…The record still stands today.
Where is He Now?: Since 2004 has been a first base and third base coach with the New York Mets. In October of 2009 the Mets fired Alomar as bench coach but could offer him a position elsewhere with the club. He turned 66 on Oct. 19, and first plans to pursue a major league coaching job elsewhere.
Contributed by Kurt Swanson – AngelsWin.com Contributor
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