Roberto Alomar fired from MLB and Blue Jays amid sexual misconduct allegation
Baseball Hall of Famer, All Star and 10-time second base Gold Glove winner Roberto Alomar retired from the playing field in 2005 and started wearing a jacket and tie after being named as a special assistant to the Toronto Blue Jays and later, a Special Consultant to the MLB. But yesterday, he was unceremoniously fired from both of those lofty positions.
On April 30, Commissioner Robert D. Manfred, Jr. announced that Alomar had been terminated as a consultant to Major League Baseball and placed on the Ineligible List. Commissioner Manfred issued the following statement regarding the discipline:
“At my office’s request, an independent investigation was conducted by an external legal firm to review an allegation of sexual misconduct reported by a baseball industry employee earlier this year involving Mr. Alomar in 2014. Having reviewed all of the available evidence from the now completed investigation, I have concluded that Mr. Alomar violated MLB’s policies, and that termination of his consultant contract and placement on MLB’s Ineligible List are warranted.
“We are grateful for the courage of the individual who came forward. MLB will continue to strive to create environments in which people feel comfortable speaking up without fear of recrimination, retaliation, or exclusion.”
Immediately following the Commissioner’s announcement, the Blue Jays followed suit yesterday and also announced that they were, “severing all ties with Alomar, effective immediately.”
According to The New York Post, the firings went down after a woman filed a workplace complaint against Alomar alleging sexual misconduct. That complaint was filed with the Blue Jays, “months ago, over an incident that allegedly occurred several years earlier.” TSN reported that Alomar, the Blue Jays, and MLB are all named in the lawsuit.
Alomar took to Twitter to say that he was “disappointed, surprised, and upset,” but that he also understood the MLB’s decision.
If there’s any bright spot for Alomar, it may be that his stature as a Hall of Famer will remain intact. ESPN shared the following statement from the organization:
“The National Baseball Hall of Fame was shocked and saddened to learn of the news being shared today about Roberto Alomar,” Hall of Fame chairman Jane Forbes Clark said in a statement. “When he was elected to the Hall of Fame by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America in the Class of 2011, Alomar was an eligible candidate in good standing. His plaque will remain on display in the Hall of Fame in recognition of his accomplishments in the game, and his enshrinement reflects his eligibility and the perspective of the BBWAA voters at that time.”
During his 17-year playing career, Alomar played for the San Diego Padres, Toronto Blue Jays, Baltimore Orioles, Cleveland Indians, New York Mets, Chicago White Sox and Arizona Diamondbacks.
“He reminds me of some of the great players that I’ve played with, who seem like they write their own script,” said Davey Johnson, who managed Alomar with the Orioles. “Frank Robinson’s one, Henry Aaron was the other.” ~ National Baseball Hall of Fame
For more on the trial and tribulations of Roberto Alomar, see the videos below.
(Source: MLB)
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Posted by Richard Webster, Ace News Today / Follow Richard on Facebook and Twitter
