Roberto Alomar, a 12-time All-Star who had been serving as a consultant to Major League Baseball, has been placed on the league’s ineligible list following an investigation into a 2014 sexual misconduct allegation.
MLB commissioner Rob Manfred said in a statement Friday that an independent investigation was made into a baseball industry employee’s allegation.
“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,” Manfred said.
“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.”
MLB did not disclose further details about the incident.
In a tweet, Alomar said he was “disappointed, surprised, and upset” by but also understood MLB’s decision.
My statement: pic.twitter.com/4AXQeDH6vd
— Roberto Alomar (@Robbiealomar) April 30, 2021
The Toronto Blue Jays, for whom Alomar played from 1991 to 1995, winning two World Series titles, expressed support for MLB’s decision and said they would cut all ties with Alomar. A banner honoring Alomar, whose No. 12 was retired by the team, will be removed from the Rogers Centre, among other acknowledgements of his Toronto career, the Blue Jays said.
The National Baseball Hall of Fame, to which Alomar was inducted in 2011, said his enshrinement will remain in place.
“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.”
Alomar played for the San Diego Padres, Blue Jays, Baltimore Orioles, Cleveland Indians, New York Mets, Chicago White Sox and Arizona Diamondbacks over a 17-year career. He won World Series with the Blue Jays in 1992 and 1993 and was a 10-time Gold Glove winner at second base.