The best talent in any sporting event, including baseball, football or any other sport is discovered, fed and prepared only by a committed coach. The importance of a good coach in any sporting event cannot be overemphasized in view of the fierce competition and innovative and dynamic techniques that today’s sport is subject to. It is in this context that Sandy Alomar’s imposing personality still lives on in the vivid memory of many MLB fans.

Santos Alomar Conde, later known as 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 in the world of baseball as a promising player. With his debut on September 15, 1964, Sandy never looked back until he pulled out his baseball uniform for the final game of his major league career on the historic day of September 30, 1978.

During his illustrious sports career, spanning more than 14 eventful years, Sandy, the mascot of many baseball lovers, played for many teams. He started as a second baseman with the Milwaukee and Atlanta Braves from 1964 to 1966, continued with the New York Mets and Chicago White Sox from 1967 to 1969, with the California Angels during the color 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 ambidextrous and right-handed.

This player-turned-coach was lucky enough to play every position, but in the majors he was a pitcher and catcher. He went on to be the second baseman for the California Angels throughout his career with them as he joined the team and played 648 consecutive games. His record as the league leader in 1971 was 689 at-bats, an American League record for a switch-hitter that, though later broken, remains a milestone in his career. He is known for his stage as manager in his native Puerto Rico, and as coach of the Padres. In his subsequent assignment he trained his relatives. The two illustrious sons are Roberto, an infielder, and Sandy, Jr., a catcher, and both are players a coach and parent can be proud of.