Blue Jays removed the number 12 - Roberto Alomar

Former baseball player Roberto Alomar gives a speech to the audience of the Rogers Centre during the ceremony to withdraw his number (12) before the game between the Texas Rangers and Toronto Blue Jays on Sunday, July 31, 2011 in Toronto.

Escorted by two members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and flattered by the applause, the former baseball player Roberto Alomar went to the center of the stadium on Sunday as his number 12 was retired by the Toronto Blue Jays.

The new Hall of Fame Major League participated in 12 All-Star Games and 10 times won the Gold Glove is the first Blue Jays player whose number is retired in the 35-year history of the franchise.

Alomar played only five seasons in Toronto, but those were the glory years of the team. The Blue Jays won the World Series in 1992 and 1993, looking Alomar at second base.

Alomar made a speech to the public before the game against the Texas Rangers. While their numbers were unveiled at a blue banner at the top of the center of Rogers Centre, a fan yelled, "I love you, Robbie." Without thinking twice, Alomar said, "I love you, too. I love you all."

On a stage set up in center field, right in front of a giant number 12 covering second base, Alomar was accompanied by his parents, former manager "Cito" Gaston, president and general manager Paul Beeston, and former teammates.

Wearing a dark blue suit and red tie, Alomar reflected on his career and two titles with Toronto.

"As a kid I never imagined that my number would be retired," he told an audience of 45,629 fans. "We just played the game I love. My parents taught me that no matter how much money you earn, how much success one has or how famous one is, must always act with humility, as I have done."

This week has been a whirlwind for Alomar, who along with former general manager Pat Gillick was the Blue Jays elected new Hall of Fame last weekend, becoming the first player to receive this appointment wearing the uniform of the Blue Jays.

"This is a day to remember for the rest of my life," Alomar said after the ceremony. "

Alomar signed with Baltimore after the 1995 season and later played for Cleveland, New York Mets, Chicago White Sox and Arizona. In a career spanning 17 years, recorded a batting average of .300 with 2724 hits and 210 homers.