Vizquel, Omar

Cleveland Indians 1994-

Seattle Mariners 1989-1993

Shortstop (S/R) Height: 5’9” Weight: 185 lbs.

Born: 4-24-67, Caracas, Venezuela

Age at MLB Debut: 21

 

Quick Stats

2000 Age 33 AL 613 AB, .287/.380/.375, 27 2B, 7 HR
2001 Age 34 AL 611 AB, .255/.325/.334, 26 2B, 2 HR

2002 Age 35 AL 582 AB, .275/.347/.418, 31 2B, 14 HR

2003 Age 36 AL 250 AB, .244/.321/.336, 13 2B,   2 HR

 

2004 Stats

Previous Years

Almanac Entry

 

How Acquired:

Traded to the Indians, 12-20-93 (see below)

 

Comments

4-1-03

Omar may have lost a step or two, but he’s still one of the premiere defensive shortstops in baseball. What he’s lost on defense, he’s gained on offense. 2002 saw career highs in HR, and RBIs, and Omar hit above .300 for most of the season. While a move to second will eventually have to be made to prolong his career, he’s still entrenched at short.

 

7-15-03

CLE 231 AB, .255/.332/.351, 12 2B, 2 HR

Vizquel is out at least a month with a knee problem, the latest victim of the contagious Veteran Disease that's ravished this team. In all probability, Vizquel will be back for the 2004 season, but it's doubtful he'll stick around beyond that. He's still a magician at short, but he's lost a step or two, and the average will probably continue to decline. It would be nice to have at least one of the main cogs of the mid-90s teams to retire as an Indian, though I have a feeling Omar wants to stick around as long as he can play. Regardless, it's still a pleasure to watch Vizquel play the game. If he played 10 years ago, he'd have a ticket to the Hall of Fame, but with today's slugger shortstops, he's a marginal candidate at best.

 

Contract: 2 Years (2003-2004, MO 2005), $15.0M

2004 Salary: $7.50M

Arbitration: Yes

Free Agency: Yes

Transactions History:

4-1-84: Signed with the Seattle Mariners as a non-drafted free agent; Assigned to Butte (R)

Started 1985 in Bellingham (A)

Started 1986 in Wausa (A)

Started 1987 in Salinas (A)

Started 1988 in Vermont (AA)

?-?-88: Promoted to Calgary (AAA)

Started 1989 in Seattle

4-3-89: MLB Debut

1990: Spent Rehab Stint in San Bernadino (A)

5-14-90: Optioned to Calgary (AAA)

7-5-90: Recalled by Seattle

1992: Spent Rehab Stint in Calgary (AAA)

12-20-93: Traded to the Cleveland Indians for Felix Fermin and Reggie Jefferson

1994: Spent Rehab Stint in Charlotte (AAA)

6-11-03: Placed on 15-day Disabled List (meniscus)

 

Season League Leader:

1989: 7^th Sac. Hits (13)

1993: 7^th Games (158)

          4^th Sac. Hits (13)

1994: 3^rd Sac. Hits (11)

1995: 10^th Stolen Bases (29)

          5^th Sac. Hits (10)

1996: 5^th Stolen Bases (35)

          7^th Sac. Hits (12)

1997: 10^th Triples (6)

          5^th Stolen Bases (43)

          1^st Sac. Hits (16)

1998: 10^th Triples (6)

          8^th Stolen Bases (37)

          5^th Sac. Hits (12)

1999: 6^th Batting Avg. (.333)

          8^th Hits (191)

          2^nd Stolen Bases (42)

          1^st Sac. Hits (17)

2000: 10^th At Bats (613)

2001: 7^th Triples (8)

          2^nd Sac. Hits

 

Active Leader:

18^th Games (1990)

17^th At Bats (7252)

24^th Hits (1982)

27^th Triples (51)

14^th Stolen Bases (299)

30^th Times on Base (2744)

2^nd Sacrifice Hits (165)

 

Team Leader:

Career: 2nd  Stolen Bases (260)

            9^th Sacrifice Hits (153)

            9^th At Bats (4891)

            10^th Runs (781)

            9^th Doubles (260)

            6^th Power/Speed Number (88.1)

            10th Hits (1451)

            10th Times on Base (2033)

 

Career Awards and Milestones:

All-Star in 1998, 1999, and 2002

AL Gold Glove (for SS) in 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, and 2001

1996 Hutch Award

 

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