Sandy Alomar Jr. hired by Indians

CLEVELAND -- Sandy Alomar Jr. is back with the Cleveland Indians.

The popular former All-Star catcher has been hired by new Indians manager Manny Acta as a first-base coach. Alomar spent the past two years as a catching instructor for the New York Mets. He will mentor Cleveland's catchers.

Alomar played 20 seasons in the majors -- 11 in Cleveland -- before retiring in 2007. While in New York, he served on the same coaching staff as his father, Sandy Alomar Sr., who was the team's bench coach.

The 43-year-old Alomar was a six-time All-Star with the Indians, who enshrined him in their Hall of Fame last season. He was the AL's rookie of the year in 1990.

With Alomar behind the plate, Cleveland won five AL Central titles and made two trips to the World Series.

By TOM WITHERS
AP Sports Writer