RIP Sandy Alomar Sr., Yankees’ infielder who won 1976 ALCS

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NEW YORK — Sandy Alomar Sr., a former Yankees infielder and respected figure throughout Major League Baseball, passed away Sunday in Puerto Rico at 81, the Yankees and MLB confirmed. His death closes a remarkable chapter in baseball history that spanned more than five decades and shaped generations of players.

A quiet influence and long career

Born Oct. 19, 1943, in Salinas, Puerto Rico, Sandy Alomar Sr. began his baseball journey as a teenager when the Milwaukee Braves signed him in 1960. He made his major league debut in 1964 and went on to play 15 seasons in the big leagues. Known for his work ethic and leadership, he built a career as a dependable infielder and role model.

Alomar spent time with six major league teams — the Braves, Mets, White Sox, Angels, Yankees, and Rangers. His best year came in 1970 with the California Angels when he made his only All-Star appearance and led the American League in at-bats. Across his career, he collected more than 1,100 hits and stole 227 bases.

Major League Baseball honored his legacy with a statement on Monday, recognizing his long contribution to the sport.

Tony Clark, executive director of the MLB Players Association, said, “The baseball world suffered a great loss today with the passing of Sandy Alomar Sr., whose impact spanned more than five decades as a player, manager, coach and beloved ambassador for the game in his native Puerto Rico.”

Sandy Alomar Sr. in pinstripes: A Yankee in a defining moment

Alomar joined the Yankees in 1974 after being traded from the Angels. Though his main role was as a reserve infielder, his professionalism quickly earned the respect of his teammates and coaches.

He became part of Yankees history during the 1976 American League Championship Series. Standing on deck, Alomar watched as Chris Chambliss hit one of the most memorable home runs in team history — a walk-off blast that sent the Yankees past the Kansas City Royals and into their first World Series since 1964.

Fans stormed the field in celebration, and while Alomar never got his turn to bat, his presence in that moment tied him forever to one of the Yankees’ most iconic scenes. The 1976 club captured the American League pennant but lost to the Cincinnati Reds in the World Series. Still, that year marked the rebirth of the Yankees under owner George Steinbrenner.

The Yankees issued a statement on Monday: “The Yankees mourn the passing of Sandy Alomar Sr. and extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends, and loved ones.”

The father of a baseball dynasty

Beyond his own playing career, Sandy Alomar Sr. built a family legacy in baseball that continues to this day. His sons, Roberto Alomar and Sandy Alomar Jr., followed in his footsteps and became major league stars.

Roberto Alomar earned 10 Gold Gloves, 12 All-Star selections, and a place in the Baseball Hall of Fame. Sandy Alomar Jr. became a six-time All-Star catcher and later worked as a respected coach for the Cleveland Guardians.

Their careers reflected their father’s influence and discipline. Alomar Sr. often said that his greatest pride came from seeing his sons play the game the right way and carry on his love for baseball.

A lifetime of teaching the game

After his playing career ended in 1978, Alomar stayed involved in the game as a manager and coach. His teaching style and understanding of baseball made him a valuable mentor in every clubhouse he joined.

He coached with the San Diego Padres from 1986 to 1990, helping shape several young players who would later find success in the majors. He later joined the coaching staffs of the Chicago Cubs, Colorado Rockies, and New York Mets.

Alomar also managed in Puerto Rico’s winter league, where he continued developing young talent and helping grow the island’s rich baseball tradition.

“He never stopped teaching,” one former teammate told the New York Post. “Sandy had a special gift for making everyone better, not just as players but as people.”

Remembered in the Bronx and beyond

Alomar’s time with the Yankees was short, but his presence left a lasting mark. His leadership and calm approach earned the trust of teammates like Thurman Munson and manager Billy Martin. In 1976, his experience and professionalism helped set an example for younger Yankees players, including Willie Randolph and Fred Stanley.

That season became a turning point for the Yankees. The image of Chambliss’s home run remains one of the most replayed moments in franchise history, and Alomar — standing on deck in pinstripes — will always be part of that story.

Tributes poured in from across baseball on Monday. The Cleveland Guardians, where his son Sandy Jr. coaches, lowered their team flag in his memory. The Mets, Padres, and Angels also issued condolences, honoring his decades of dedication to the game.

The Puerto Rican Baseball Federation remembered him as “one of the island’s greatest contributors to the sport, whose dedication and legacy will continue to inspire.”

Sandy Alomar Sr. is survived by his wife, Maria, and their sons Roberto, Sandy Jr., and Luis.

His passing leaves a void in the Yankees family and in the broader baseball community. To those who remember that October night in 1976, Sandy Alomar Sr. will always be the steady figure standing near home plate, part of the Yankees moment that revived a dynasty and shaped generations to come.

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