Sandy Alomar Sr., ex-Yankees, Mets infielder and father to MLB icons, dead at 81

Longtime MLB infielder and father to a pair of baseball mainstays Sandy Alomar Sr. died at the age of 81 in Puerto Rico on Monday.

Alomar Sr.’s passing was confirmed by the Puerto Rico Baseball Federation in a post on social media, calling the the 1970 All-Star an “emblematic figure of national baseball.”

He played for six teams during a 15-year career, known primarily for his speed and versatility — he swiped 227 bases during his major league tenure.

Alomar Sr.’s career began in 1964 saw him take the field for the Braves, Mets, White Sox, Angels, Yankees and Rangers before retiring in 1978.

He was an integral reserve of the 1976 Bronx Bombers squad that went to the World Series, famously on-deck in the bottom of the ninth inning of the ALCS-winning Game 5 against the Royals when Chris Chambliss hit a series-clinching homer.

“The Yankees mourn the passing of Sandy Alomar Sr. and extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends and loved ones,” the team wrote in a statement on X.

He got into coaching — managing Winter League teams in Puerto Rico, which included his future MLB star sons, Roberto and Sandy Jr. — before working his way up to a major league staff. He worked with the Padres, Cubs, Rockies and Mets before his second MLB odyssey came to an end in 2009.

Alomar Sr.’s progeny both debuted at the MLB level with San Diego in 1988 while he was on the Padres staff.

They built on their father’s legacy with starry careers as Sandy Jr. was a six-time All-Star catcher over 20 seasons and Roberto became a Hall of Fame second baseman.

“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,” MLB players association executive director Tony Clark said in a statement. “We remember Sandy for his achievements on the field, his lifelong commitment to the game, and a proud legacy that was represented with distinction by his sons Sandy Jr. and Roberto.”