Omar Vizquel is a former Venezuelan professional baseball player who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for 24 seasons. He was primarily a shortstop and was known for his exceptional defensive skills. Vizquel played for six different teams during his career, including the Seattle Mariners, Cleveland Indians, San Francisco Giants, Texas Rangers, Chicago White Sox, and Toronto Blue Jays.
Vizquel began his professional career in 1984 when he signed with the Mariners as an amateur free agent. He spent several years in the minor leagues before making his MLB debut in 1989. Vizquel quickly established himself as one of the best defensive shortstops in the league, winning his first Gold Glove award in 1993. He would go on to win 11 more Gold Gloves throughout his career, which is the second-most by any shortstop in MLB history.
In addition to his defensive prowess, Vizquel was also a solid hitter. He finished his career with a .272 batting average, 2,877 hits, and 404 stolen bases. He was also a three-time All-Star and received MVP votes in six different seasons.
One of Vizquel's most memorable moments came during the 2001 season when he helped lead the Giants to the World Series. In the National League Championship Series against the St. Louis Cardinals, Vizquel made a spectacular diving catch to save a run and preserve a crucial Game 5 victory for the Giants. San Francisco would go on to win the series and advance to the World Series, where they ultimately lost to the Anaheim Angels.
Vizquel retired from baseball in 2012 at the age of 45. He finished his career with the most games played by a foreign-born player in MLB history and the second-most games played by a shortstop. He also holds the record for most double plays turned by a shortstop in MLB history.
Since retiring, Vizquel has stayed involved in baseball as a coach and manager. He has worked as a roving infield instructor for the Los Angeles Angels and was the manager of the Venezuelan national baseball team from 2017 to 2019. In 2020, he was named the manager of the Toros de Tijuana, a Mexican League team.
Overall, Omar Vizquel had a remarkable career in baseball. He was one of the best defensive shortstops of all time and was a solid hitter as well. His longevity and consistency allowed him to accumulate impressive career statistics and earn numerous accolades throughout his career.
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