Sandy Alomar, the former New York Yankees and New York Mets infielder, and the father of a famous baseball family, has died, according to multiple reports Monday. He was 81.
Alomar played for six different teams (Yankees, Mets, California Angels, Chicago White Sox, Milwaukee/Atlanta Braves, Texas Rangers) in a 15-year major league career.
A 5-foot-9 switch-hitter from Salinas, Puerto Rico, Alomar made his mark with defense, hustle, and longevity—not stats. Although he retired with a pedestrian .245/.290/.288 slash line, Alomar built a reputation as a steady, selfless, and tireless infielder.
Signed at 16 by the Milwaukee Braves, Alomar endured the grind of the minors before debuting in 1964. After bouncing between from the majors to the minors as the franchise relocated from Milwaukee to Atlanta, Alomar found a home with the Angels in 1969.
There, Alomar’s all-field, no-fanfare game blossomed. In 1970, he became an All-Star, stole 35 bases, and played all 162 games. He earned the nickname “Iron Pony” for a 648-game streak that defined his resilience more than any box score ever could.
Santos Alomar Conde (1943 – 2025). Leyenda de nuestro béisbol. 🇵🇷🕊️
A lo largo de 20 temporadas en la Liga de Béisbol Profesional de Puerto Rico, vistió los uniformes de Arecibo, Ponce y Santurce, dejando una marca histórica con 1,069 hits, 168 bases robadas y 537 anotadas. pic.twitter.com/2hJ8DbYbfO
https://twitter.com/JoseADelgadoEND/status/1977775600954933327
Alomar’s utility extended beyond the diamond. After stints with the Yankees and Rangers, and more than 1,000 winter league games in Puerto Rico, Alomar turned to coaching. He mentored young talent with the Padres, Cubs, Rockies, Mets, and internationally with Team Puerto Rico.
“We are deeply saddened by the passing of former Major League player and coach Sandy Alomar Sr.,” MLB wrote in a statement posted to social media. “The Puerto Rico native played for six different teams across his 15-year playing career and was an American League All-Star for the Angels in 1970. He totaled 227 stolen bases, including a career-high 39 in 1971. He went on to coach for several Major League teams through 2009.”
We are deeply saddened by the passing of former Major League player and coach Sandy Alomar Sr.
The Puerto Rico native played for six different teams across his 15-year playing career and was an American League All-Star for the Angels in 1970. He totaled 227 stolen bases,… pic.twitter.com/hNT9fcZx8I
https://twitter.com/LBPRC/status/1977784744458023221?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1977784744458023221%7Ctwgr%5E05b896a15805c0ef7a4375f2661a7836a412c82f%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thebiglead.com%2Fformer-yankees-mets-legend-passes-away%2F
Alomar’s most profound influence came at home. Sons Sandy Jr. and Roberto both became major leaguers; the latter is a Hall of Famer.
If his bat never lit up stat sheets, Alomar’s glove and grit earned him the trust of managers from Eddie Stanky to Billy Martin. Teammates admired him. Coaches relied on him. He played for teams that needed glue, not glamour.
We are deeply saddened by the passing of former Major League player and coach Sandy Alomar Sr.
The Puerto Rico native played for six different teams across his 15-year playing career and was an American League All-Star for the Angels in 1970. He totaled 227 stolen bases,… pic.twitter.com/hNT9fcZx8I
— MLB (@MLB) October 13, 2025
Quietly spiritual and intensely proud, Alomar saw baseball as a trade to be learned, passed down, and honored.
“When you have pride, you have a will,” he once told a group of young players in 2014.
