SABR 54: Hear from Sandy Alomar Jr., Carlos Baerga, Mike Hargrove, Kenny Lofton, Charles Nagy

SABR 54: 1990s Cleveland Indians Panel with Sandy Alomar Jr., Carlos Baerga, Mike Hargrove, Kenny Lofton, Charles Nagy

March 17, 2026

Dear Peter:

SABR’s 54th annual convention is scheduled for July 29–August 2, 2026, in Cleveland, Ohio. SABR 54 will feature a Major Leaguespeaker lineup we know you’ll love, alongside an invigorated social experience emphasizing SABR’s ability to unite all of us in baseball fellowship. All baseball fans are welcome to attend. Early-bird registration discounts end on May 29, 2026, so sign up today to join us!

We’re excited to announce the 1990s Cleveland Indians Panel as featured speakers at SABR 54:

  • Sandy Alomar Jr. won American League Rookie of the Year honors and a Gold Glove Award at catcher during his first season with Cleveland in 1990, then went on to become a six-time All-Star. In 1997, he hit a home run and earned MVP honors during the All-Star Game played at Jacobs Field. Since being inducted into the team Hall of Fame in 2009, he has served the Guardians as a first-base coach, bench coach, interim manager, and organizational leader. 
  • Carlos Baerga was a fan favorite as a three-time All-Star second baseman during his 14-year major league career. He spent parts of eight seasons in Cleveland from 1990 to 1996 and 1999, earning two Silver Slugger Awards. Known for his superb switch-hitting abilities, Baerga was the first major league player to hit a home run from both sides of the plate in the same inning. He was inducted into the team’s Hall of Fame in 2013. Since his retirement as a player, he has also worked as a broadcaster and analyst for ESPN Deportes and ESPN Latin America. 
  • Mike Hargrove won 2 American League pennants and 5 consecutive AL Central Division titles as Cleveland’s manager from 1991 to 1999. He spent 12 seasons as a player in the major leagues, including seven with the Indians from 1979 to 1985. He was inducted into the team’s Hall of Fame in 2008 and returned to the organization in 2010 as a special advisor, a position he remains in today. 
  • Kenny Lofton was a fleet-footed center fielder and all-around star who spent the bulk of his 17-year career with Cleveland, including three stints between 1992 and 2007. He holds the franchise record for career stolen bases with 452 and ranks among the team’s all-time top 10 in runs scored and hits. He led the American League in stolen bases for five straight seasons. He was five-time All-Star and four-time Gold Glove winner who reached the postseason in 11 seasons with six different teams, including the Atlanta Braves, San Francisco Giants, Chicago Cubs, New York Yankees, and Los Angeles Dodgers.
  • Charles Nagy was a stalwart on the Cleveland pitching staff from 1990 to 2000. As the organization’s most consistent starter, he helped the team win six AL Central Division titles in seven years. The three-time All-Star still ranks among the franchise’s all-time leaders in innings pitched and strikeouts. He was inducted into the team Hall of Fame in 2007. He has served as a pitching coach in the organization and a Special Assistant in Player Development.
  • Moderator: Paul Hoynes has been covering Cleveland baseball for more than 40 years as a writer and columnist with The Plain Dealer. He was selected as the 2026 recipient of the BBWAA Career Excellence Award and will be honored at the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown this summer.

Please note: All speakers are subject to change depending on availability.

Visit SABR.org/convention for more information on early-bird registration, Cleveland Guardians game, Cleveland Baseball History bus tour, and more.

Register now for SABR 54 in Cleveland

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Mailing address: SABR, PO Box 1715, Milwaukee, WI 53201. Physical address: Cronkite School at ASU, 555 N. Central Ave. #406-C, Phoenix, AZ 85004. Website: SABR.org. Phone: 602-496-1460.

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Published by RJ Hamster

I was born on 6 August 1956 in San Francisco, California to Janet and (the late) Richard Hovis. I grew up in Santa Monica, California where I attended elementary, junior high school, and high school (graduating in 1974), in addition to involvement in sports and recreation (Little League +, the Boy’s Club ++). Further, it was in elementary school – St. Augustine’s By-the -Sea Parish School that I found, and made the choice to truly journey with God. I attended Arizona State University from 1974 to 1977 – seeking to become an architect, however, I was not accepted, and, as such, I graduated with a Liberal Arts degree. Upon graduation from Arizona State University, I attended Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and studied City and Regional Planning at the Master’s level. I successfully completed one (1) year in a two (2) year program – I did not complete the Master’s degree in City and Regional Planning – due to personal reasons. I returned to Santa Monica where I started (October 1979) my career as graphic designer with Exxon Company, USA. I spent five years with Exxon Company, USA. While working with Exxon Company, USA I was accepted into architectural school – Sci-Arc in Southern California, however, I did not attend preferring to stay with Exxon.. In 1982 I married Laura Flosi and in April 1983 we had our one and only child – Lauren Alain Hovis – a gift from God. We moved to Phoenix, Arizona in 1984 from Los Angeles, where I went to work as a graphic designer with Kitchell CEM (from 1985 -1987). From 1987 – 1995 I was an independent contractor, and a registered representative in mortgage finance, financial management, graphic design, and drafting. Further, I attended the University of Phoenix and successfully obtained a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) in 1982. I was also a member of the Scottsdale Jaycees, where I became very involved in community events and projects. In 1994, I accepted a cartography position with the Defense Mapping Agency in Reston, Virginia. As such, I relocated from Phoenix to Reston. In 1998, I was accepted and worked as a Visual Information Officer with the Central Intelligence Agency. In 2002, I worked as a Support Officer until my retirement (due to a need for shoulder surgery) in September 2018. Away from my Federal Government service, I have been involved in various organizations and activities in Northern Virginia. In November of 2011, I married Rebecca Ouellette in Santa Monica, California. I reside in San Tan Valley, AZ with my two hamster - Jess and Timothy, our fish, our lizard - RJ Lizard., and our cats - Pearl and Grey. As to hobbies, I enjoy playing sports, attending sporting events, mentoring individuals from financial management to hamsters, building models, photography, travel, multimedia design, managing partner for RJ Hamster, and jazz – smooth jazz to a samba or a bossa nova. Love and God Bless, Peter – aka RJ Hamster Jo hi

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