Omar Vizquel :Â Going to Cooperstown?
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Today we have a special commentary today, from the father of Kman, MR. Kman himself. Is Omar hall of fame worthy?
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When you think of future major league shortstops making the trip to Cooperstown, New York, the players names that immediately come to mind are Alex as in Rodriguez, and Derek Jeter. Both are physical specimens who we have little problem visualizing performing heroic feats on the baseball diamond. But there is another bona-fide candidate for inclusion with the enshrined elite of the past, and his name is Omar, Omar Vizquel. This physically unassuming shortstop is currently superbly fielding the position for the San Francisco Giants. Granted he is at the tale end of his career, but is a major contributor to his team’s success offensively and defensively.
We acknowledge Omar as the only player in major league history who can field a hard hit ground ball with his bare hand and make the seemingly effortless toss to make the out, but that alone doesn’t put you in the Hall of Fame.
He is also among the few players in history to be able to steal third base almost at will, it just can’t be that easy but Omar shows that it is, at least it is for Omar.
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Watching him play you can see, he is a step or two ahead of the other players with his baseball IQ, he anticipates were the ball is being hit, and almost always arrives to make the play, give up trying to counting his number of Gold Glove Awards.
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With age, and Omar turns 40 on April 24th, he has become a better hitter, career .276, but last year he finished up hitting .295 with 171 hits. To date 2,472 hits for his career, and considering the level of conditioning he maintains year round he is within target of the illustrious 3,000 hit plateau.
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Omar has been a solid offensive contributor throughout his carrier and I won’t bore you with baseballs seemingly endless statistics such as his 1,283 runs scored, etc., etc.’s, other than to say Omar who is no stranger to post season and World Series Heroics can hit, run, and field, there is no weakness in his game.
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Another factor that will garner Omar serious consideration when his eligibility comes about is that you get VOTED into the Hall of Fame, thus popularity is a big factor.
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We saw that this year with Mark McGuire, and it will be a factor for Rafy Palmero, and Barry Bonds when their names go on the ballot.
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So don’t be surprised if when strolling through those haloed Halls in Cooperstown, in say ten years time and you see Omar Vizquel’s plaque on the wall, and no he was not a tentmaker, and that little red man, Chief Wahoo, with the feather on his cap, signifies where he first gained our notice in beautiful downtown Cleveland.. Well let’s just leave it a Cleveland.
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Related
Omar Vizquel : Going to Cooperstown?
Omar Vizquel :Â Going to Cooperstown?
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
Â
Today we have a special commentary today, from the father of Kman, MR. Kman himself. Is Omar hall of fame worthy?
Â
Â
When you think of future major league shortstops making the trip to Cooperstown, New York, the players names that immediately come to mind are Alex as in Rodriguez, and Derek Jeter. Both are physical specimens who we have little problem visualizing performing heroic feats on the baseball diamond. But there is another bona-fide candidate for inclusion with the enshrined elite of the past, and his name is Omar, Omar Vizquel. This physically unassuming shortstop is currently superbly fielding the position for the San Francisco Giants. Granted he is at the tale end of his career, but is a major contributor to his team’s success offensively and defensively.
We acknowledge Omar as the only player in major league history who can field a hard hit ground ball with his bare hand and make the seemingly effortless toss to make the out, but that alone doesn’t put you in the Hall of Fame.
He is also among the few players in history to be able to steal third base almost at will, it just can’t be that easy but Omar shows that it is, at least it is for Omar.
Â
Watching him play you can see, he is a step or two ahead of the other players with his baseball IQ, he anticipates were the ball is being hit, and almost always arrives to make the play, give up trying to counting his number of Gold Glove Awards.
Â
With age, and Omar turns 40 on April 24th, he has become a better hitter, career .276, but last year he finished up hitting .295 with 171 hits. To date 2,472 hits for his career, and considering the level of conditioning he maintains year round he is within target of the illustrious 3,000 hit plateau.
Â
Omar has been a solid offensive contributor throughout his carrier and I won’t bore you with baseballs seemingly endless statistics such as his 1,283 runs scored, etc., etc.’s, other than to say Omar who is no stranger to post season and World Series Heroics can hit, run, and field, there is no weakness in his game.
Â
Another factor that will garner Omar serious consideration when his eligibility comes about is that you get VOTED into the Hall of Fame, thus popularity is a big factor.
Â
We saw that this year with Mark McGuire, and it will be a factor for Rafy Palmero, and Barry Bonds when their names go on the ballot.
Â
Â
Â
So don’t be surprised if when strolling through those haloed Halls in Cooperstown, in say ten years time and you see Omar Vizquel’s plaque on the wall, and no he was not a tentmaker, and that little red man, Chief Wahoo, with the feather on his cap, signifies where he first gained our notice in beautiful downtown Cleveland.. Well let’s just leave it a Cleveland.
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Matthias Koster has written for mopupduty.com since 2006. Follow Matthias on Twitter, Facebook and Google +