Hall-of-Famer Robbie Alomar rains on fan's parade
It was one of those strange photographs without context on the weekend that was hard to explain, featuring Robbie Alomar in the annual Parade of Legends in Cooperstown.
The parade is a great event for fans, with each of the Hall-of-Famers in attendance perched in the back of his own pick-up truck cruising slowly down Main Street waving to the enthusiastic fans that are lined for blocks on both sides of the street.
It's an annual event that allows visitors to see their heroes up close and personal -- sometimes too up close and sometimes too personal.
All of a sudden it's become clear but on Saturday, following the event, writing a column back at the press centre, John Lott of the National Post showed us a still-photo of the Alomar heist. The photo showed Robbie waving the Puerto Rican flag in his right hand and the flag of his hometown in his left hand.
Also in his hand was a Jays jersey No. 12, which was rather hard to explain. It did not fit. But from Deadspin comes this hilarious video supplied by friends of the fan whose Alomar jersey this once was.
It's been six years since Alomar has stolen a base or robbed anyone of a hit. Old habits die hard.
The Hall-of-Fame second baseman can now add this fan to his list of highway robberies.
Enjoy this Hall-of-Fame heist thanks to some home video and Deadspin.
Another example of a classy act.
Posted by: KD | July 26, 2011 at 10:03 PM
Thanks Richard for the video. It was really funny. I'm sure there was no malice on Alomar's part. He probably just got caught up in the celebrations.
Posted by: Claudio Ruiz | July 26, 2011 at 11:07 PM
Robbie is making this right as per a note from his own website this morning.
Posted by: Brian Waugh | July 27, 2011 at 06:40 AM
I just went to YouTube to see the video and "Alomar's people have reached out" and the guy will get his shirt back. I'll bet it's even signed.
Posted by: Aidan Crawford | July 27, 2011 at 08:59 AM
"Aloma rains on the fans parade"...i dont think so! i'd take this as a compliment!! Alomar now knows this fan exists! He can take my shirt any day!!
Posted by: GO JAYS GO | July 27, 2011 at 09:49 AM
We were at the very begining of the parade route in Cooperstown and got a chance to interact with Robbie within a couple of feet. He told my 5 year old son, "I like your hat" (Blue Jays hat of course!) and was gracious enough to say it again so that he got Josh's attention. A great baseball moment for me as a dad.
You could see the excitement and happiness on his face.
Truly a once in a life opportunity.
Posted by: JV | July 27, 2011 at 01:46 PM
Twelve All-Star selections (consecutively). Ten Gold Glove Awards (the most by any second baseman). Five Silver Slugger awards. (He batted over .300 nine times). And, of course, two World Series rings. Roberto Alomar is being inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame this July, and the Toronto Blue Jays want you to come celebrate his sterling career, July 31st, at the Rogers Center.
http://alomarhalloffame.ca
bit.ly/q9Vhy2
Posted by: Swanson | July 27, 2011 at 06:04 PM
Alomar is a gracious and generous person. This fan is a total liar and jerk - he says the shirt cost $50 and was difficult to find... The shirt cost $22 at the Hall of Fame and there was plenty of them ! Also there was another store there selling them for $25 ! He was trying to make Alomar sound like a jerk but he did it to himself.
Posted by: Mei | July 28, 2011 at 06:14 PM