It has come to my attention, and after research proven true, that Omar Vizquel is now currently the only player from the 1980's left in MLB. By 1980's, I mean made his actual Major League Debut in the 1980's. Some players like Tim Wakefield and Arthur Rhodes got drafted and signed in the 80's, but did not make their MLB debuts until the 1990's. Some players like Randy Johnson, Kenny Rogers and Barry Bonds have retired in the last two or three seasons, leaving him in the company of just a small few. Those few have dwindled this season, and Omar is currently the only player from the 1980's with a contract for next season.
Above is a picture of the back of Omar Vizquel's 1989 Score rookie card. I got a kick out of reading it. Listen to that scout: "He's not as flashy as Ozzie Guillen, but has more range and speed." I'd love to find out who said that and ask him what he thinks about comparing the two players' careers now in retrospect. He would probably retract that statement today.
Omar Vizquel made his MLB debut on April 3rd, 1989 for the Seattle Mariners. He went 0-3, and put three balls in play, not striking out. He made an error. People may have not thought he was going to be a very special short stop at that point, but he sure proved them wrong 11 Gold Gloves later. It was a humble start to what has become a Hall Of Fame career.
So with the free agency of Jamie Moyer and his injury that could end his career, this just leaves Omar. He's the last player we have to enjoy from an era where we saw a Yankees team never win a World Series. Where we got "I don't believe what I just saw!" and "Go crazy folks!" From a decade that gave us Tony Gwynn, Dale Murphy, Roger Clemens pre "The Clear". A decade in which some of the greatest players in MLB history made their MLB debuts with him like Randy Johnson, Ken Griffey Jr, Roberto Alomar, Barry Bonds(Pre-Roids), Barry Larkin, Cal Ripken Jr, Mark McGwire(Pre-Roids Maybe).
We should really take a moment just to reflect on the awesome career of Vizquel. .273/80/936, 2799 hits. Those don't really sound like Hall Of Fame numbers, but everyone knows why he will get in. He will get in on his glove. He has been called by many in the baseball community, the best fielding short stop in MLB history. He has won 11 career Gold Gloves for short stop, and even last season for the White Sox showcased awesome leather from third base, at 43 years old. This was a good enough season to get him re-signed for 2011 by the White Sox, for $1.75 million. He will turn 44 years old on April 24th, 2011.
It seems like he should be protected by glass, like some museum relic. We are all getting to watch a sure hall of fame player each time he walks out on the field for the Chicago White Sox. Being the only player left from the 80's only adds to the number of reasons it is awesome when the stadium announcer calls out his name. We should really cherish every inning, every at bat of this great player who is the last of a dying era in baseball.
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