Sandy Alomar Sr. dies at 81, former MLB infielder and coach

Sandy Alomar Sr., a former Major League Baseball infielder and long‑time coach who helped shape the game in Puerto Rico and in the United States, died Monday in Puerto Rico at age 81, Major League Baseball said. The Puerto Rico Baseball Federation and a family friend confirmed the death, and local reports said he had suffered a medical incident about a week before his 82nd birthday.

Alomar spent 15 seasons in the major leagues from 1964 to 1978, spending his most productive years with the California Angels and earning an American League All Star selection in 1970. A speedy, defense‑first infielder, he finished his playing career with 1,168 hits and 227 stolen bases and was part of the 1976 New York Yankees club that reached the World Series. He was widely respected for his durability and athleticism, and he played a central role in a family baseball legacy that included two sons who became prominent big leaguers.

Born in Salinas, Puerto Rico, on Oct. 19, 1943, Alomar was signed as a 16‑year‑old amateur and made his major league debut in 1964. Over a career that included stops with several clubs, he was known more for glove work and speed than power, collecting double‑digit...