Roberto Alomar spent two days in Kamloops at a Blue Jays baseball camp for kids aged nine to 16 (Image Credit: CFJC Today)

By Chad Klassen

ROBERTO ALOMAR

Alomar remembers World Series titles, ’92 ALCS home run, talks current Blue Jays

Jul 17, 2019 | 5:30 PM

KAMLOOPS — It’s been 15 years since Roberto Alomar stepped foot on a major league diamond. He played for seven different teams, most memorably with the Blue Jays from 1991 to 1995.

Toronto is where Alomar made a name for himself. His two-run home run in the 1992 ALCS against legend Dennis Eckersley is one of his biggest moments as a 24 year old.

“Everywhere I go, they still remember that home run,” he told CFJC Today at McArthur Island during this week’s Blue Jays camp in Kamloops. “They still ask me about how I was feeling that day. It was one of those days that as a hitter, as a ballplayer, I was feeling good, I was swinging the bat well.”

The Jays came back against the mighty Oakland A’s and went on to capture the franchise’s first World Series championship. They did all over again in 1993 with the famous Joe Carter walkoff winner at the old SkyDome.

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“That was another great home run. Joe Carter winning the World Series. I remember I was in the dugout, and wow, it was an amazing day,” said Alomar.

Alomar is the Blue Jays all-time leader in batting average, going .307 at the plate in five seasons in Toronto. In 2011, after his induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame, he became the first Blue Jay to have his number retired. He has many fond memories of his days in Toronto.

“First of all, the fans. The fans were great since Day One. Winning the World Series, being in the playoffs, my teammates were great. Cito Gaston, my manager, was great.”

The 51-year-old Alomar is still involved in the organization. He is a special advisor with the Jays, helping young player, especially Latino players, as they make their way through the minor league system.

“I went through the minor league system. I know how hard it is to get to the big leagues, especially being Latino,” said Alomar. “You have to learn the language to be able to talk to all the players, be able to talk to the coaches, and to communicate with people.”

Alomar has a similar role as a special consultant with Major League Baseball in his homeland of Puerto Rico.

“With MLB, I create programs, baseball programs, especially in Puerto Rico. I do camps for kids, all the way from seven to 16 years old. I have a tournament for kids who are eligible to go to college and sign professionally,” he said. “I bring scouts from Major League Baseball and scouts from college.”

As for the current edition of the Jays, who are out of the race and sellers leading up to the July 31 trade deadline, Alomar says talent is coming soon through the minors.

“I think we’re going to be good. We have to give them time. We’re a young team. Minor league system is doing really good. I think Mark Shapiro and Ross Atkins are doing a great job. We just have to give them time. Be patient.”