IMO, he has a decent shot at making it but I think probably not.
Unfortunately, early in his career w/the M's and the Indians he was overshawdowed by the likes of Junior, Edgar, Thome, Manny, Lofton.
In the mid-90's he was overshawdowed by Jeter, A-Rod, and Nomar (I love the fact that Nomar is Nomore, f*ck him).
Now, he plays on a shitty team.
Despite the most games at SS and arguably the best defensive SS (11 Gold Gloves), the HOF tends to focus on offensive stats. Also, his teams made it to the World Series twice (95, 97), and that can often play a part.
He is the "old school" SS from the mold of Phil Rizzuto, Pee Wee Reese, Ozzie, and Dave Concepcion (who should've also been considered).
Now that I look at everything, I think he has a better shot than I originally thought. I never gave him any thought, so thanks for bringing this topic up!
Unfortunately, early in his career w/the M's and the Indians he was overshawdowed by the likes of Junior, Edgar, Thome, Manny, Lofton.
In the mid-90's he was overshawdowed by Jeter, A-Rod, and Nomar (I love the fact that Nomar is Nomore, f*ck him).
Now, he plays on a shitty team.
Despite the most games at SS and arguably the best defensive SS (11 Gold Gloves), the HOF tends to focus on offensive stats. Also, his teams made it to the World Series twice (95, 97), and that can often play a part.
He is the "old school" SS from the mold of Phil Rizzuto, Pee Wee Reese, Ozzie, and Dave Concepcion (who should've also been considered).
Now that I look at everything, I think he has a better shot than I originally thought. I never gave him any thought, so thanks for bringing this topic up!
Omar Vizquel career numbers and highlights.
Highlights and awards
Gold Glove: (AL, 1993-2001), (NL, 2005-2006)
All-Star (AL): (1998-1999, 2002)
Defense
All-time leader in games played at shortstop
All-time leader for double plays as a shortstop
11-time Gold Glove recipient (1993-2001, 2005-6)
Second-highest number of Gold Gloves received by a shortstop (behind Ozzie Smith)
Oldest shortstop recipient of the Gold Glove (ages 38 & 39)
Highest career fielding percentage by a shortstop (0.995)
Lowest number of errors in a season by a shortstop (tie) (3 in the 2000 season)
American League record holder (tie) for most consecutive games without an error (95 between September 26, 1999-July 21, 2001)
Offense
Second-most hits-while-playing-shortstop all-time (behind Luis Aparicio)
Fourth-most runs-while-playing-shortstop all-time (behind Herman Long, Derek Jeter and Bill Dahlen)
The 83rd major league player to reach 2500 career hits (May 6, 2007)
Most hits by an active (roster) player
Most at-bats by an active (roster) player
American League record holder (tie) for most hits in a nine inning game (6) - Went 6-7 on August 31, 2004 in the Indians 22-0 win over the Yankees, the worst shut-out loss in league history
Overall
Most games played by an active (roster) player
First in most games started at shortstop all-time (infront of Luis Aparicio)
3-time All-Star (1998, 1999 & 2002)
Won 2 American League Championships (with Cleveland, 1995, 1997)
Won 6 American League Central Division Championships (with Cleveland, 1995-9, 2001)
Won the Hutch Award (1996), the only non-American player ever to do so
Won the Willie Mac Award (2006) for spirit and leadership
Won the Heart & Hustle Award (2007) for embodying "the values, spirit and tradition of the game"
Captain of Venezuelan World Baseball Classic team (2006)
Member of the Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum Hall of Fame
Oddity:
Tied the 2002 All-Star Game 7-7 with an RBI triple in the eighth inning. The game ended controversially after 11 innings tied 7-7.
A lifetime .274 hittler with 71 total homers known for his bunting and exceptional fielding along with outstanding durability is definitely no cinch to be inducted but who knows how people will look back on his career 10 years from now.
wil.
Highlights and awards
Gold Glove: (AL, 1993-2001), (NL, 2005-2006)
All-Star (AL): (1998-1999, 2002)
Defense
All-time leader in games played at shortstop
All-time leader for double plays as a shortstop
11-time Gold Glove recipient (1993-2001, 2005-6)
Second-highest number of Gold Gloves received by a shortstop (behind Ozzie Smith)
Oldest shortstop recipient of the Gold Glove (ages 38 & 39)
Highest career fielding percentage by a shortstop (0.995)
Lowest number of errors in a season by a shortstop (tie) (3 in the 2000 season)
American League record holder (tie) for most consecutive games without an error (95 between September 26, 1999-July 21, 2001)
Offense
Second-most hits-while-playing-shortstop all-time (behind Luis Aparicio)
Fourth-most runs-while-playing-shortstop all-time (behind Herman Long, Derek Jeter and Bill Dahlen)
The 83rd major league player to reach 2500 career hits (May 6, 2007)
Most hits by an active (roster) player
Most at-bats by an active (roster) player
American League record holder (tie) for most hits in a nine inning game (6) - Went 6-7 on August 31, 2004 in the Indians 22-0 win over the Yankees, the worst shut-out loss in league history
Overall
Most games played by an active (roster) player
First in most games started at shortstop all-time (infront of Luis Aparicio)
3-time All-Star (1998, 1999 & 2002)
Won 2 American League Championships (with Cleveland, 1995, 1997)
Won 6 American League Central Division Championships (with Cleveland, 1995-9, 2001)
Won the Hutch Award (1996), the only non-American player ever to do so
Won the Willie Mac Award (2006) for spirit and leadership
Won the Heart & Hustle Award (2007) for embodying "the values, spirit and tradition of the game"
Captain of Venezuelan World Baseball Classic team (2006)
Member of the Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum Hall of Fame
Oddity:
Tied the 2002 All-Star Game 7-7 with an RBI triple in the eighth inning. The game ended controversially after 11 innings tied 7-7.
A lifetime .274 hittler with 71 total homers known for his bunting and exceptional fielding along with outstanding durability is definitely no cinch to be inducted but who knows how people will look back on his career 10 years from now.
wil.
Hutch Award
The Hutch Award was created in 1965 in honor of the late Fred Hutchinson. Fred "Hutch" Hutchinson made his Major League debut as a pitcher in 1939 and later in his career managed the Reds to a National League pennant.
In December of 1963, Hutchinson felt a lump in his throat and sought medical attention from his brother who was a cancer surgeon. His brother told him he would only live for one more year. Fred returned to the ballclub, concealed his illness, and led his team through most of the season until the illness overtook him at mid-season.
One year after Hutchinson's death, the Hutch Award was created and given to the Major League ballplayer that best exemplifies the fighting spirit and competitive desire of the late Fred Hutchinson.
In December of 1963, Hutchinson felt a lump in his throat and sought medical attention from his brother who was a cancer surgeon. His brother told him he would only live for one more year. Fred returned to the ballclub, concealed his illness, and led his team through most of the season until the illness overtook him at mid-season.
One year after Hutchinson's death, the Hutch Award was created and given to the Major League ballplayer that best exemplifies the fighting spirit and competitive desire of the late Fred Hutchinson.
Here you go:
An entire thread:
http://therxforum.com/showthread.php?t=497439&highlight=vizquel&page=2
More and better discussion in these two:
http://therxforum.com/showthread.php?t=381648&highlight=vizquel
http://therxforum.com/showthread.php?t=473665&highlight=vizquel
An entire thread:
http://therxforum.com/showthread.php?t=497439&highlight=vizquel&page=2
More and better discussion in these two:
http://therxforum.com/showthread.php?t=381648&highlight=vizquel
http://therxforum.com/showthread.php?t=473665&highlight=vizquel
Mark Belanger and Paul Blair were two of the best ever at their positions and they are not in. The best indicator is the Most Similar By Age on the Baseball Reference page: http://www.baseball-reference.com/v/vizquom01.shtml
I don't get too wrapped up in career stats. If so, then Bob Boone should make it. I look at a player's peak. Vizquel was in the top-20 MVP voting once, and only made three all-star teams. Not playing on a WS champion really hurts him too. Alan Trammell has more accomplishments than Vizquel.
I don't get too wrapped up in career stats. If so, then Bob Boone should make it. I look at a player's peak. Vizquel was in the top-20 MVP voting once, and only made three all-star teams. Not playing on a WS champion really hurts him too. Alan Trammell has more accomplishments than Vizquel.
http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20091123&content_id=7705804&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb
11/23/09 2:00 PM EST
Vizquel gives White Sox veteran utility man
Shortstop immediately provides South Siders versatility
By Scott Merkin / MLB.com
CHICAGO -- The White Sox Venezuelan connection at shortstop added on another link Monday afternoon, with the announcement of the official signing of Omar Vizquel. The move had been reported as close last week.
Vizquel, who turns 43 on April 24, follows the likes of legendary countrymen up the middle for the White Sox such as Chico Carrasquel (1950-55), Luis Aparicio (1956-62, 1968-70) and current manager Ozzie Guillen, who was the team's starting shortstop from 1985-97. Whereas the first three served as starters for the White Sox, Vizquel has agreed to a one-year deal as purely a backup for the South Siders.
This move makes sense for the White Sox on a couple of fronts. Guillen always has discussed how he wants his utility infielder to be a shortstop first, and even at 43, Vizquel still is as sound defensively as most younger shortstops in the game. Over 27 games played at the position for the Rangers in 2009, Vizquel didn't commit an error.
In fact, over the 62 games Vizquel played for the Rangers at shortstop, second base and third base, Vizquel was flawless in the field. The veteran of 21 big league seasons also becomes the best bunter on the team upon his arrival, with 244 career sacrifices, and will serve as an outstanding mentor for the youthful double-play combination of shortstop Alexei Ramirez in his second year at the position and Gordon Beckham in his first year playing second.
General manager Ken Williams tried to previously add Vizquel in November 2004, offering the 11-time Gold Glove winner a two-year deal. But the Giants swept in at the last minute, offering the veteran a three-year deal and inking his services.
Instead of Vizquel, the White Sox went with Juan Uribe at shortstop and Tadahito Iguchi at second in the 2005 campaign. And the rest literally was history for the World Series champs.
With Vizquel on board, the youthful utility tandem of Jayson Nix and Brent Lillibridge has been put on further notice. Guillen spoke at the end of the 2008 campaign as to how Nix needed to make better contact and Lillibridge needed to take greater advantage of his speed to secure their respective roster spots. There figures to be one spot left between the two of them, although even before Vizquel and the White Sox agreed to terms, Nix understood the task facing him.
"My focus is on making the adjustments I need to make and to come in being the most complete player I can be," Nix said. "From there, whatever happens, happens. "If I'm on my game and doing what I'm capable of doing, opportunities will come. I'm just focused on doing what I need to do to help the team more."
11/23/09 2:00 PM EST
Vizquel gives White Sox veteran utility man
Shortstop immediately provides South Siders versatility
By Scott Merkin / MLB.com
CHICAGO -- The White Sox Venezuelan connection at shortstop added on another link Monday afternoon, with the announcement of the official signing of Omar Vizquel. The move had been reported as close last week.
Vizquel, who turns 43 on April 24, follows the likes of legendary countrymen up the middle for the White Sox such as Chico Carrasquel (1950-55), Luis Aparicio (1956-62, 1968-70) and current manager Ozzie Guillen, who was the team's starting shortstop from 1985-97. Whereas the first three served as starters for the White Sox, Vizquel has agreed to a one-year deal as purely a backup for the South Siders.
This move makes sense for the White Sox on a couple of fronts. Guillen always has discussed how he wants his utility infielder to be a shortstop first, and even at 43, Vizquel still is as sound defensively as most younger shortstops in the game. Over 27 games played at the position for the Rangers in 2009, Vizquel didn't commit an error.
In fact, over the 62 games Vizquel played for the Rangers at shortstop, second base and third base, Vizquel was flawless in the field. The veteran of 21 big league seasons also becomes the best bunter on the team upon his arrival, with 244 career sacrifices, and will serve as an outstanding mentor for the youthful double-play combination of shortstop Alexei Ramirez in his second year at the position and Gordon Beckham in his first year playing second.
General manager Ken Williams tried to previously add Vizquel in November 2004, offering the 11-time Gold Glove winner a two-year deal. But the Giants swept in at the last minute, offering the veteran a three-year deal and inking his services.
Instead of Vizquel, the White Sox went with Juan Uribe at shortstop and Tadahito Iguchi at second in the 2005 campaign. And the rest literally was history for the World Series champs.
With Vizquel on board, the youthful utility tandem of Jayson Nix and Brent Lillibridge has been put on further notice. Guillen spoke at the end of the 2008 campaign as to how Nix needed to make better contact and Lillibridge needed to take greater advantage of his speed to secure their respective roster spots. There figures to be one spot left between the two of them, although even before Vizquel and the White Sox agreed to terms, Nix understood the task facing him.
"My focus is on making the adjustments I need to make and to come in being the most complete player I can be," Nix said. "From there, whatever happens, happens. "If I'm on my game and doing what I'm capable of doing, opportunities will come. I'm just focused on doing what I need to do to help the team more."
