Bert Campaneris's stolen base production dropped from 62 in 1969 to 42 in 1970. Yet he went from second place to league leader. The reason is that 1969 stolen base leader, Tommy Harper saw his numbers drop even more significantly. He went from 73 in 1969 to only 38 in 1970. By contrast Harper's home run production skyrocketed. He went from 9 in 1969 for the Seattle Pilots to a career high 31 with the Brewers. He was also the first Brewer selected to the All Star game in 1970. He was brought in as a pinch-runner and was thrown out by Johnny Bench trying to steal second.
Sandy Alomar will always have a close place in my heart. Not because of his meaningless All Star at-bat in 1970, nor because of his 3rd place stolen base performance in 1970. Instead it was because of his kindness to my son at his first baseball game ever. It was the 2001 season and we had seats on the 3rd base line. Right behind the Cubs bullpen. My 5 year old son was chatting with every player that came his way. Including bullpen coach Sandy Alomar. And Sandy not only chatted with him but gave him a ball mid-game, He also autographed it for him after the game. My son is away at college now but that autographed ball is still in his abandoned bedroom. He may have trouble remembering it because he was only 5 years old, but I will remember it forever.
Thank You Sandy.
Alomar was with 4 organizations in 1967. He was traded twice during spring training, then actually saw playing time with the Mets and White Sox.
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