Baseball Musings
Baseball Musings
December 27, 2004
Roberto's Back

In yesterday's post about the Puerto Rican Winter Leagues, I noticed this item (emphasis added).

Bithorn Stadium, just 10 minutes south of San Juan, has struggled to draw even nominal attendance despite a renovated stadium and the presence of Crabbers infielders Alomar and Carlos Baerga (who doubles as team president). A recent injury to Alomar has helped curtail interest, but ardent fans say the team's problems — as well as the league's and, by extension, Puerto Rico's — run much deeper.

I couldn't find anything about it on the web, so I contacted Edwin Rodriguez who runs the web page for the winter league. He filled in some details:

Alomar started the season in Puerto Rico already under treatment for his lower back. At least once a week he was flying to the states (don't know where) to get treatment. After the second week of the season it was too much for him, his back wasn't in good shape.

That much I can tell you, I was asking the same when he left but nobody knew the specifics.

This is the same back injury that kept him out of action most of September. I was wondering why there's been so little interest in him, and I guess this was the reason. Could his career be over?

It would be sad if that were so, with Robbie only 276 hits from 3000. That's just two decent seasons. But his production has been way off from his career averages the last three seasons, and now he seems to have a bad back on top of it all. If a team does sign him, he'll have to play cheap.

If his career is over, does he go into the Hall of Fame? His baseball reference web page shows 2 of the 4 HOF indicators having him elected. It also shows him most comparable to Craig Biggio and Lou Whitaker, very good players who arent' going to make the Hall.

The other question worth asking; is he the greatest player from Puerto Rico? He compares very favorable to Clemente; Roberto C. had 377 win shares in 18 seasons; Robbie A. had 375 in 17 seasons, about 1 more win share per season. It's hard to believe that Alomar could replace Clemente in the Island's heart, due to Clemente's heroic and tragic death. But he may very well be the best player the island has produced.

If anyone has more information on Alomar's back, please let me know.

Update: Fixed broken link.


Posted by David Pinto at 09:15 AM | Free Agents | TrackBack (2)
Comments

Alomar better than Clemente? The numbers may show yes, they may show no, but you're right in saying that Alomar will NEVER attain the popularity that Clemente had, has and will have. A loved humanitarian vs. an umpire spitter. Not a difficult decision.

Posted by: shawn at December 27, 2004 06:25 PM

Your "His baseball reference web page" link is broken....

Posted by: Chuck at December 27, 2004 10:32 PM

Of course, Robbie Alomar was a much better spitter than Roberto Clemente.

I guess Clemente will have to settle for being a great hitter and a great outfielder.

Posted by: Tom at December 29, 2004 11:58 AM

I thought he was done two years ago, when his bat started slowing down... now I know why.

Posted by: tdmsu at December 30, 2004 07:41 PM
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