Cleveland Indians: Sandy Alomar should be allowed to manage in playoffs

Sandy Alomar has managed the Cleveland Indians for a majority of the year and should be allowed to continue this into the postseason.

Terry Francona is one of the greatest managers of all time and actively speaking, may be the best the game currently has. The reason for saying that is so no one misconstrues what’s about to come; Sandy Alomor Jr. should absolutely be the manager for the Cleveland Indians in the 2020 playoffs. While Francona is a Hall of Famer, Top-10 or Top-5 manager of all time, his health is the factor in this. Not his ability.

Francona has missed most of the 2020 season due to health issues, and it’s not the first time he’s had to miss time. He’s getting treated and that’s a good thing. There’s nothing more important than that. So when we talk about who should manage the Indians in the postseason, it isn’t coming from a place of anger. It’s coming from a place of prudence.

It makes sense that Alomar would be the one to lead the charge into the 2020 payoffs. He’s has been an Indians staple for decades. Sure, he’s flirted with other teams in his playing days but he’s an Indian for life. He’s also done a great job managing this team through Francona’s health issues, Mike Clevinger and Adam Plesac’s romp through the bristling remains of their reputations, a stagnant offense, and a global pandemic.

Alomar is pretty battle-tested. He’s a veteran of three World Series (two as a player, one as a coach) and has been a team leader for most of the Indians’ success in the 2000s when guys like Albert Belle, Jose Mesa, and Manny Rameriez were causing problems. So we know he can handle an ego or two.

He’s also, arguably, one of the greatest pitch-calling catchers in the history of the Indians organization. The lack of true front-line starting talent in the ’90s is evident, especially compared to more modern teams and Alomar still got over-the-hill stars and young upstarts to have some great seasons. Alomar is smart. He can manage a game.

That all takes us to the practicality in this opinion. Alomar is not high risk to miss any games in the playoffs. Francona, unfortunately, is. There’s a certain whiplash effect that takes place when someone comes in and out of your life, both personally and work-wise. The Indians can’t afford that, mostly due to how inconsistent they’ve been at times. They need everything to be as consistent as possible. From their routines, to who’s sitting on the bench, to how they warm-up.

Letting Alomar finish out the season and giving Francona time to heal and rest for the rest of 2020 is just smart, prudent thinking. It protects Francona, it gives Alomar valuable experience and it lets the team know that no matter what, Alomar is the guy for the rest of the year.

It’s a hard call to make, but it very well could be the right one.