Roberto Alomar - by David Ostrowsky (Hardcover)

About the Book

Roberto Alomar is the first complete and unbiased look into the complicated legacy of this baseball Hall of Famer, covering Alomar's impressive career that included 12 All-Star selections and 10 Gold Glove awards, his altercation with umpire John Hirschbeck, the controversial ...

Book Synopsis

A captivating look into the remarkable career and controversial life of a baseball Hall of Famer.
Roberto Alomar was not just a five-tool Hall of Famer; he was a magician on the diamond, a generational talent whose defensive wizardry left teammates and opponents breathless. Yet, despite his twelve All-Star selections and ten Gold Glove awards, he has remained one of the most contentious and enigmatic characters in baseball's history.
Roberto Alomar: The Complicated Life and Legacy of a Baseball Hall of Famer is the first complete, balanced biography of arguably the greatest second baseman in the history of Major League Baseball. It covers Alomar's impressive career, his altercation with umpire John Hirschbeck and their eventual friendship, the allegations stemming from Alomar's personal life, never-before-heard stories about his conflicts with both minor and major league teammates, and his global influence.
When Roberto Alomar retired in 2005, his place as one of baseball's all-time greats was unquestioned. But the controversies that always seem to follow him make Alomar's legacy far from clear. Drawing on dozens of personal interviews with Alomar's former teammates and opponents, Roberto Alomar pulls back the curtain on one of the most significant, divisive, and perplexing figures in baseball history.

Review Quotes

""Complicated" is the operative word for Robbie Alomar, arguably the best second baseman in the history of baseball, yet whose professional and personal lives have been embroiled in controversy.... The author fearlessly wades into Alomar's 1996 confrontation (and subsequent reconciliation) with umpire John Hirschbeck over a called third strike--Alomar spat in Hirschbeck's face, alleging the ump used a slur against him--along with later charges of domestic violence, charges that he had exposed lovers to undisclosed HIV, and a sexual harassment issue that prompted Major League Baseball to drop its affiliation with Alomar, save for his Hall of Fame membership." --Booklist

"Roberto Alomar is one of the most talented ballplayers of all-time, the greatest second baseman since Joe Morgan, and part of a family that was truly baseball royalty. Fortunately, we have author David Ostrowsky to share Alomar's story." --Erik Sherman, New York Times best-selling author of eight books, including Daybreak At Chavez Ravine: Fernandomania and the Remaking of the Los Angeles Dodgers

"David Ostrowsky's crisp and conversational prose tells Roberto Alomar's story as effortlessly as the 10-time Gold Glove-winning second baseman fielded his position. The thorough research that helped make Ostrowsky's first book, Pro Sports in 1993, a page turner does so again in his capable hands, presenting the dual sides of the enigmatic Alomar whose dazzling accomplishments when he chose to give 100% concealed a dark side off the field, leaving behind a deeply tarnished legacy." --Mark Sommer, author of Rocky Colavito: Cleveland's Iconic Slugger

"I remember writing a story about Roberto Alomar Jr. and other Padres prospects taking an English class during spring training in Yuma. Little did I know what awaited him in his career and life, and I'm thrilled David Ostrowsky captured it all in this wonderful book that provides the hard truth in vivid detail." --John Shea, co-author with Willie Mays of the New York Times bestseller 24: Life Stories and Lessons from the Say Hey Kid and national baseball writer at the San Francisco Chronicle

"At 28, Roberto Alomar had already established himself as one of baseball's very best players when one big mistake changed him from hero to villain. That one mistake stayed with him even as he played his way into the Hall of Fame. Hero or villain--which was Roberto Alomar? David Ostrowsky's strong reporting and clear, crisp writing gives you everything you need to make up your own mind about one of baseball's most intriguing players." --Jon Pessah, founding editor of ESPN the Magazine, Pulitzer Prize nominee, and bestselling author of Yogi: A Life Behind the Mask

"[T]he average fan should enjoy this serviceable account as an easy read between innings." --Literary Review Of Canada

"Complicated" is the operative word for Robbie Alomar, arguably the best second baseman in the history of baseball, yet whose professional and personal lives have been embroiled in controversy.... The author fearlessly wades into Alomar's 1996 confrontation (and subsequent reconciliation) with umpire John Hirschbeck over a called third strike--Alomar spat in Hirschbeck's face, alleging the ump used a slur against him--along with later charges of domestic violence, charges that he had exposed lovers to undisclosed HIV, and a sexual harassment issue that prompted Major League Baseball to drop its affiliation with Alomar, save for his Hall of Fame membership.

[T]he average fan should enjoy this serviceable account as an easy read between innings.

At 28, Roberto Alomar had already established himself as one of baseball's very best players when one big mistake changed him from hero to villain. That one mistake stayed with him even as he played his way into the Hall of Fame. Hero or villain--which was Roberto Alomar? David Ostrowsky's strong reporting and clear, crisp writing gives you everything you need to make up your own mind about one of baseball's most intriguing players.

David Ostrowsky's crisp and conversational prose tells Roberto Alomar's story as effortlessly as the 10-time Gold Glove-winning second baseman fielded his position. The thorough research that helped make Ostrowsky's first book, Pro Sports in 1993, a page turner does so again in his capable hands, presenting the dual sides of the enigmatic Alomar whose dazzling accomplishments when he chose to give 100% concealed a dark side off the field, leaving behind a deeply tarnished legacy.

I remember writing a story about Roberto Alomar Jr. and other Padres prospects taking an English class during spring training in Yuma. Little did I know what awaited him in his career and life, and I'm thrilled David Ostrowsky captured it all in this wonderful book that provides the hard truth in vivid detail.

Roberto Alomar is one of the most talented ballplayers of all-time, the greatest second baseman since Joe Morgan, and part of a family that was truly baseball royalty. Fortunately, we have author David Ostrowsky to share Alomar's story.

About the Author

David Ostrowsky is a sportswriter for the Atlanta Jewish Times and the author of Pro Sports in 1993: A Signature Season in Football, Basketball, Hockey, and Baseball. Ostrowsky currently serves as a corporate communications writer for The Phia Group. He lives in the Greater Boston area.