Vizquel breaks shortstop record

Vizquel breaks shortstop record
Giants veteran passes Aparicio's mark with 2,584 games
By Alden Gonzalez / MLB.com


MIAMI -- Omar Vizquel made history Sunday, overtaking Luis Aparicio as baseball's shortstop iron man.

In the second game of a doubleheader at Dolphin Stadium, the 41-year-old shortstop played in his 2,584th game, passing Aparicio for most games appeared in as a shortstop.

That's a lot of games for a 5-foot-8, 175-pound guy playing one of the most demanding positions in baseball.

"It's a historic moment," said Bochy, who moved into 49th place on the all-time wins list for managers with his 1,042nd victory Friday. "He's excited, and we are, too. I'm proud of Omar, and I'm proud to say I'm here for [the record]."

But Vizquel's career has been about a lot more than quantity. The Venezuelan, who has made bare-handed plays on sharp ground balls look almost routine over the years, owns 11 Gold Gloves -- second only to Ozzie Smith's 13 -- and sports a career .274 batting average. He's also first among all shortstops who have played in over 1,000 games with a .984 fielding percentage and has been a part of an all-time-leading 1,658 double plays.

On top of that, he is one of only four shortstops in history -- and the only Venezuelan -- to have played 20 seasons in the Major Leagues.

"To me, it's just like any other game. It's nothing new for me," Vizquel said recently. "I wish I could be healthier to be able to enjoy it more. But at this moment, my knee and being able to play all season is most important."

Vizquel's record-setting year started off a bit questionable. He missed all of Spring Training after arthroscopic left knee surgery on Feb. 27, and then sustained a bone bruise that delayed his recovery.

Since then, however, Vizquel has played in 12 of the last 13 games -- starting 11 of them -- and is hitting .275 without making an error on the field.

Giants third baseman Jose Castillo, also a native Venezuelan who has the locker right next to Vizquel in Miami, is one of many who have been inspired by Vizquel over the years.

"He deserves it," Castillo said. "He's a companion who is always there if you need him. I know he will be in the Hall of Fame one day, and I hope to be the first one to congratulate him [when he ties the record]."

bobrob2004 wrote:

Since then, however, Vizquel has played in 12 of the last 13 games -- starting 11 of them -- and is hitting .275 without making an error on the field.

What sucks is in the game he broke this record, he DID make an error. Unless they changed it, which I don't think they did. He was pissed. Poor Omar. I still him though

SoulRat wrote:

I still him though

You do realize he's a righty? Sure, he switch hits, but he throws right-handed.

Oh yeah, nice job Omar!

catbox_9 wrote:

SoulRat wrote:

I still him though

You do realize he's a righty? Sure, he switch hits, but he throws right-handed.

Oh yeah, nice job Omar!

:haha: Yeah, but you can't hold that against him, he's Omar for sakes! Omar!!