Why did Roberto Alomar prematurely retire during the 2004 season at the young age of 36? He had 2,724 hits?
at the time he retired and was seemed destined for 3,000 in 2 more seasons and certainly a place in Cooperstown. In 17 seasons from 1988-2004 with 7 teams, Alomar had: 2,724 hits, 1,508 runs, 504 Doubles, 210 HR's, 1,134 RBI's and batted .300. Great stats, Hall of Fame numbers in my opinion, but why didn't he stick around for another couple of seasons to get to 3,000? Was he involved in steroid abuse allegations? I know he spit in that umps face in 1995 or something, but that wouldn't have caused him to retire, was he injured? He made over 76 million in career, so it wasn't about the money. I just don't understand why this guy didn't stick around for 3,000 hits? He was a switchhitter too and played 2nd base his entire career. Any thoughts here? http://www.baseball-reference.com/a/alomaro01.shtml Alomar had 10 gold gloves and 12 all-star game appearances, will he ever make a comeback to get to 3,000 hits? He is also a 2 time World Series winner, 1992-1993 with the Toronto Blue Jays, he's only 39 now, and will he make the Hall of Fame? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roberto_Alomar
Public Comments
- He retired because he was struggling to compete, he was on the verge of being cut by the Devil Rays of all teams and decided to not embarrass himself that way. He hoped around a lot a tthe end and was not the hitter that he once was and realized that he had lost a step in the field as well. He was a great player until the last few years with the Mets, White Sox, Arizona and Tampa...he was just not the same anymore, his shoulder never healed right and he was diminishing his career stats. Last year he was rumored to be trying to get a tryout for a comeback attempt...saying that he was finally healthy again.
- Robbie realized his best years were behind him, and it was time to hang em up. I think it is sad that Brother Sandy is toiling in the minors for another shot at the show. Robbie can make the HOF, but I doubt it.
- Alomar's body was all banged up when he left the game. His back bothered him all spring, and I believe his vision was poor as well - he said he was having trouble seeing the ball. Also remember, the season before he missed two months with the Diamondbacks with a broken hand. I agree that if Alomar could have stayed in long enough to get 3000 hits, that would have gotten him into the HOF - but his body just couldn't hold up any more to training and playing - and he knew it. In addition, fans had gotten on his case because he wasn't playing very well the last few seasons - so I think all of that led to him retiring before the 2005 season started.
- His numbers were dropping fast. He lost "it" and was having trouble even making teams....
- he was a fun one to watch in Cleveland especially when we had him and Sandy. to the person above, Sandy is in the Majors or at least he was for one game, I just saw him the other day, and I was like, what the hell, Sandy Alomar. Roberto was smart, why not go out ahead, oh well I'm sure he had some reasons, I can't remember what they said it was when he retired, but I'm sure it was a good reason.
- after striking out and committing two errors in the 1st inning of his first preseason game with the TB DRays he had this to say..... "I played a lot of games and I said I would never embarrass myself on the field," Alomar said. "I had a long career, but I can't play at the level I want to play, so it's time to retire." He was suffering from back and vision problems My hat's off to him. Probably the best all-around 2nd baseman that I ever saw. More players should have this sense of when to retire.
- I always liked Alomar but I have some suspicion that he might have used roids. Of course he probably didn't but his numbers declined so rapidly it makes me wonder. His body was banged up, he had not been productive since he left the Indians and he had vision problems. Those were the official reasons he retired.
- Alomar looked washed up honestly when he retired. I watched him with the Mets and he was a shell of his former self. He is a no doubt HOF thought, 1st ballot.
- First ballot Hall of Famer. He's a top 5 2B of all-time, some would argue he's the best. Like you said, he's a 12 time all star and 10 time gold glove winner (best among 2B.) He also won 4 silver slugger awards (2nd only to Ryne Sandberg's 7.) 500 2B's, 474 steals and 1000 BB's. Best second basemen of our generation, hands down. .
- Why play if your heart isn't in it? I wouldn't play another 3 years just for a few more hits. As a formerly very good player he probably didn't want to just be average. If I could retire nicely while I was young and healthy enough to enjoy life to the fullest I would.
- his back was bothering him and his vision was getting bad http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2017030
- Maybe because he spit on an umpire, so they wrecked him.
