Top Tribe All-Star Performances: #3: Sandy Alomar, Jr., 1997

by Ryan on Jul 14, 2011 5:35 AM EDT in History

The 1997 All-Star Game had lots of intrigue associated with it coming into the game, but all the sub-plots were overshadowed by one swing of the bat.

The Indians were hosting the All-Star Game for the fifth time, and for the first time at Jacobs Field. They had last hosted the game in 1981, but that game had come just after a 50-day players strike. So it had been a while since the Indians had hosted a game not interrupted by labor strife.

Albert Belle, who had jumped ship to Chicago last winter, was back in town, and he was met with the expected boos from the Cleveland fans. Kenny Lofton was also back in town as a National League All-Star, and he was cheered by the fans. Also getting a ovation was Curt Schilling of the Philadelphia Phillies; the Indians needed starting pitching badly, and Schilling had asked for a trade. Schilling appreciated the cheers, but he wouldn't be traded until 2000, and it would be to the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Sandy Alomar was appearing on his fifth All-Star team, and was in the midst of a career season. He came into the game with a 30-game hitting streak, and hitting .375/.408/.608. He was not voted in as a starter; Ivan Rodriguez of the Texas Rangers had that honor. He would get just one at-bat because of the nature of the game, but he made it count.

Edgar Martinez gave the AL a 1-0 lead with a home run in the second inning off Greg Maddux. The NL tied the game in the seventh with a Javy Lopez solo shot. In the bottom of the inning, Alomar came to the plate with two outs and a runner on second.

Here's what happened next:

Alomar became the first Indian to be named the All-Star Game MVP.

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Comments

Suffice it to say, the pitch locator in the 90s was not incredibly accurate

by supermarioelia on Jul 14, 2011 7:38 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs

Thome was a lot smaller back then.

by fivekmd on Jul 14, 2011 7:56 AM EDT reply actions

I’m not aware of AS history, so have no idea of what will fall on this list (though I knew Sandy’s HR would make it). Without knowing what remains, I hope this won’t be a Letterman Top-10 where the #2 is the real punchline and #1 is the anti-climactic deneoument if the tension that was building.

"Ignorance more frequently begets confidence than does knowledge..." C. Darwin

by Spidey on Jul 14, 2011 8:46 AM EDT via mobile reply actions

No, the two left are player performances, and both performances were objectively better than what Alomar did, as hard as that may seem.

Also keep in mind that the All-Star MVP was not awarded until 1962.

by Ryan on Jul 14, 2011 9:50 AM EDT up reply actions

Oh, what a great player Sandy was and what a great at-bat! I remember that game vividly. Can’t really recall the rest of that season though…

by MTF on Jul 14, 2011 9:42 AM EDT reply actions

Rec the hell out of this, but I, too, am wondering which two are going to top this one.

"Lotta heart in Cleveland." - Ian Hunter

by Denver Tribe Fan on Jul 14, 2011 9:58 AM EDT reply actions

There it is, happy birthday to me! I remember being on the verge of tears as rabid, 11 year old Sandy fan. Still my favorite Indian of all time.

Matt LaPorta is the bane of my existence.

by USSChoo on Jul 14, 2011 11:13 AM EDT reply actions

My little brother was a huge Sandy Alomar, Jr. fan, and we were all watching that game. I think it was the day before his birthday; anyway, he went nuts, which cemented this memory in my mind.

Trombone/creamy/soda.

by Joel D on Jul 14, 2011 5:05 PM EDT reply actions

Very glad he is coaching on the team, but am lamenting his departure for the inevitable mamager’s job offer he will get soon.

"Ignorance more frequently begets confidence than does knowledge..." C. Darwin

by Spidey on Jul 14, 2011 6:13 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

I’m hoping we can milk one more good year out of him then entice him with a low A job. Hoping.

Matt LaPorta is the bane of my existence.

by USSChoo on Jul 14, 2011 7:07 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

My word was the Jake loud. I wish I was born 5-10 years older so I could really appreciate the atmosphere and teams of the mid-to-late 90s.

by ahowie on Jul 15, 2011 4:17 PM EDT reply actions

It was the perfect place for a kid (me) and his father to go. I don’t remember too many details of those days being a pre-teen for most of it, but I’d trade in all the details for what I got.

Matt LaPorta is the bane of my existence.

by USSChoo on Jul 15, 2011 6:08 PM EDT up reply actions