TORONTO — Roberto Alomar’s plaque is up at the Baseball Hall of Fame, and now his No. 12 is up in the Rogers Centre rafters.
The first player enshrined in Cooperstown wearing a Toronto Blue Jays hat was honoured again Sunday afternoon when his jersey number was retired in another landmark moment for the franchise.
The quick-paced, nostalgia-laced, 30-minute ceremony included a couple of highlight videos – with cameos from Tony Gwynn, Paul Molitor, Jim Thome and Omar Vizquel — a gift presentation from former manager Cito Gaston, a brief speech from John McDonald, and finally the unveiling of a No. 12 banner hanging to the right of the 1993 World Series championship flag by team president Paul Beeston.
It was the latest public celebration in a busy stretch for Alomar that included last week’s Hall induction and all the accompanying responsibilities.
"I’m having a lot of fun," Alomar said afterwards. "As long as this involves me in baseball, this means a lot to me. The Hall of Fame, getting to know the greatest players to ever play this game, to sit with them, to have dinner with them, to be on the podium with them, it’s enough, there’s nothing better.
"Then today, I felt like a little boy. … This day I’ll remember for the rest of my life."
Alomar received a standing ovation as he walked through the stands with two Mounties in tow before taking the field, and again after his number was pulled out of circulation at a packed Rogers Centre.
"Toronto, one more time, thank you, I love you," he said at the end of his brief remarks from a temporary stage set up just beyond second base, surrounded by Beeston, Gaston, McDonald, Carlos Baerga, Candy Maldonado, Kelly Gruber, Duane Ward, Devon White and parents Sandy and Maria Alomar.
Beeston praised Alomar as the greatest second baseman ever and added, "I predict it will be many, many years before another number is even considered" for retirement, while Gaston described his former player as the smartest second baseman to ever take the field.
"It’s been a pleasure watching you grow into the Hall of Famer you are today," Gaston added.
The induction of Alomar and former Blue Jays GM Pat Gillick last week along with Sunday’s festivities have served as a reminder of glory years long since passed, when the team was a perennial power and won consecutive World Series championships.
But Alomar also seemed to turn the page by urging on the 2011 club before departing the field.
Some 20 family members and friends were on hand to watch his No. 12 go up.
"I’ve been blessed that I had a chance to play for this organization," said Alomar. "This is my second home. I’m proud to be Puerto Rican, but now I’m half Puerto Rican, half Canadian. I can’t ask for a better day."