HOFer Alomar Agrees With JJ Readers On Next Blue Jays Manager

Jul 13, 2012; Toronto, ON, Canada; Cleveland Indians bench coach Sandy Alomar Jr. (15) during their game against the Toronto Blue Jays at the Rogers Centre. The Indians beat the Blue Jays 1-0. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-US PRESSWIRELast week, Jays Journal took the time to survey our loyal readers about who they thought should replace John Farrell as the next manager of the Toronto Blue Jays. 26% of our readers agreed that former catcher and Cleveland Indians bench coach Sandy Alomar Jr. was the man that they would put in charge of their team. Alomar was followed by Brad Ausmus and Dave Martinez, both of whom garnered 18% of the vote.

Interestingly enough, former Blue Jays player and Hall of Famer Roberto Alomar is in total agreement.

“I hope it’s my brother,” Robbie Alomar said. “We need someone who wants to put his heart and soul into his team, someone who wants to be here.”

Of course, Roberto Alomar is a bit biased; Sandy is his brother after all. However, he is not far off base either.

Sandy Alomar is a former catch, having played 20 seasons for five different teams, but predominantly for the Cleveland Indians. Alomar was the American League Rookie of the Year winner in 1991 and was a six-time All-Star.

As a coach, Alomar is extremely well thought of. He has served as a catching instructor for the New York Mets and as the first base coach and later bench coach of the Cleveland Indians under Manny Acta. In 2010, he was one of four finalists for the Blue Jays job, along with DeMarlo Hale, Brian Butterfield, and John Farrell, who eventually won the job.

More recently, Alomar finished the 2012 season as the interim manager of the Indians, after Acta’s dismissal, but was passed over in favor of Terry Francona. He was also interviewed for the open managerial position with the Boston Red Sox before Boston and Toronto agreed on compensation regarding the aforementioned Farrell.

As a candidate, Alomar is intriguing. He was a well-thought of player who never left the game, moving immediately into the coaching ranks. He has good rapport with players, young and old and is said to be a solid instructor. That said, his candidacy for the Jays’ open position has nothing to do with his brother’s stamp of approval; he has earned his stripes and his recognition.

Still, do not be surprised if the Jays interview both Ausmus and Martinez, as both carry the same level of respect that Alomar has in the game. Interstingly enough, none of these players have been confirmed as a candidate by the team yet, but Dodgers third base coach Tim Wallach, who drew the least amount of votes in our poll, has been.