Puerto Rican baseball mourns the passing of Santos ‘Sandy’ Alomar Conde

Santos “Sandy” Alomar Conde, a former Major League player, manager and mentor, was among the most respected figures in national and international baseball. He died Monday in his native Salinas at age 81.

By THE STAR STAFF

The Puerto Rico Baseball Federation and the sports community on Monday were mourning the passing of Santos “Sandy” Alomar Conde, former Major League player, manager, mentor, and one of the most respected figures in national and international baseball.

Alomar Conde was found without vital signs on Monday morning in the Costa Plaza Mall parking lot in his hometown of Salinas, six days before his 82nd birthday.

“Don Santos Alomar dedicated his life to this sport as a player, mentor, and example of discipline,” said Dr. José Daniel Quiles Rosas, president of the Puerto Rico Baseball Federation, in a written statement. “We extend our deepest condolences to his children, family, and the people of Salinas.”

Salinas Mayor Karilyn Bonilla Colón stated that the municipality “is in mourning for the passing of one of its greats.”

“Don Santos was a sports legend and now immortal for his contributions to the community,” she said. “He was a leader, mentor, and a great family man, always humble and proud of his roots. Our deepest condolences to his wife, his children, Roberto, Sandy, and Sandia, his grandchildren, and his family. His legacy will always be remembered in Salinas.”

Alomar Conde, born on Oct. 19, 1943, played 14 seasons in the major leagues with the Milwaukee Brewers, Atlanta Braves, New York Mets, Chicago White Sox, California Angels, New York Yankees and Texas Rangers. He later managed the Chicago Cubs, Colorado Rockies and San Diego Padres.

A career .245 hitter who finished with 1,148 hits, 558 runs scored and 282 RBIs, Alomar was a valued defensive infielder who played mostly at second base. His post-playing career included stints as manager in the stateside minor leagues with the Chicago Cubs organization, as well as with several winter league teams on the island and the Puerto Rican national team. He also coached in the majors with the Cubs, Colorado Rockies, San Diego Padres and New York Mets.

His career transcended the field. On Sept. 30, he represented the Clemente Santana family at an Interuniversity Athletic League (LAI by its initials in Spanish) event at the Coquí School in Salinas, where he shared anecdotes about his friendship with legendary Hall of Famer Roberto Clemente Walker.

“Don Santos died with his boots on, contributing and inviting everyone to make Puerto Rico a better place,” LAI Commissioner Jorge Sosa said. “Thank you for so much! My condolences to his family.”

On that occasion, Alomar Conde reflected on Clemente’s legacy, saying: “He sacrificed his life to give life to others. … He tried to help the world, Nicaragua, which at that time needed help after an earthquake. It’s a shame that someone who does good ends up like this. God knows what he’s doing.”

For her part, Jannette Clemente Santana, author of the book “Memories of Triumph: Justino Clemente,” emphasized that “our hearts grieve for the passing of our friend and brother Santos, but at the same time, we celebrate his reunion in the afterlife with Matino and Momen, who surely planned a Major League welcome.”

Alomar Conde was the father of fellow major leaguers Hall of Famer Roberto Alomar, and Santos “Sandy” Alomar Jr., coach of the Cleveland Guardians. He was inducted into the Puerto Rican Sports Hall of Fame, the Ponce Hall of Immortals, the Professional Baseball Hall of Fame, and the Salinas and Guayama Halls of Fame.

The Baseball Federation indicated that it will pay posthumous tribute to his memory during the upcoming winter baseball season.