Sandy Alomar Jr. wins Lifetime Achievement Award

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Photo credit Ben Fontana-92.3 The Fan
Cleveland, OH (92.3 The Fan) – Sandy Alomar Jr. was presented with the 2018 Lifetime Achievement Award tonight at the 19th annual Greater Cleveland Sports Awards.

“I came here for an opportunity to play baseball and I got more than I was expecting,” Alomar said. “I got the love from the fans, family being supported by the fans and the organization. The Cleveland Indians gave me an opportunity of a lifetime and all I wanted to do was make a difference. I was very fortunate enough to make a difference, be able to make my home here and delivering what I did – it was gratifying.”

The six-time All-Star spent 11 seasons with the Indians from 1990-2000 and was a big reason why the tribe won the American League pennant in 1995 and 1997. He was MVP of the All-Star game in 1997, which was his best season statistically. Alomar posted a .324 batting average, finishing with 21 home runs and 83 RBI. His go-ahead, two-run home run in the All-Star game is a moment Indians fans will never forget. 

All I wanted to do is make the All-Star game because it was in Cleveland at The Jake – the first All-Star game at The Jake," Alomar said. "All I wanted to do is maybe get an inning because I didn’t know if I was going to play.”

“To get in the game and have an opportunity, the stage to be set to win the game and then delivering with a home run – I just can’t even imagine that. I was so happy for my family, for the people in Cleveland to get to witness something like that. Then my son jumped on the field, took the trophy and took a picture with me – you couldn’t ask for anything else.”

The Indians traded for Alomar in 1990. He went on to win American League Rookie of the Year and the Gold Glove Award. He gave fans a glimpse of what the next decade of Cleveland baseball would look like. Alomar became the 33rd player inducted into the Indians’ Hall of Fame in 2009. He is one of the most popular players in the history of the franchise. 

“We are not just baseball players,” Carlos Baerga said. “We are teammates. We are brothers. We came from the same island – Puerto Rico. We got traded together to the Cleveland Indians. Everything Sandy’s been doing for this organization – for the city is special. I’m very happy that he’s being honored today with this award. He deserves it.”

Alomar left Cleveland in 2000 and played for five other teams before retiring after the 2007 season. He’s in his ninth season as a member of the Indians’ coaching staff. The First Base coach is a class act on and off the diamond.

Alomar has worked with the Cleveland Clinic’s VeloSano event, which supports cancer research. He helped design the Indians’ team jersey for the event in 2016 and has participated in their rides for the cure.

Past recipents of the award include Jim Brown, Herb Score, Austin Carr, Bernie Kosar, Jim Donovan and Zydrunas Ilgauskas. Listen to our one-on-one conversation with Alomar below.