While We’re Waiting… LeBron and Shaq, Emailing Delonte, and “Best of” Player Names
September 30, 2009Eric Wedge: Fired? (Update)
September 30, 2009Understandably, there is a contingent of fans that would love to see Omar Vizquel back with the Cleveland Indians – whether on the field or in the front office. Unfortunately, the veteran shortstop will not concern himself with such matters this offseason. At least not right away. This is because he will be busy taking up yet another hobby once the baseball season is over: Bullfighting.
The Texas Rangers infielder, who last winter searched for anacondas, plans to try bullfighting when he goes home to Venezuela this winter.
“Just go and learn the basics and stuff,” Vizquel said. “It’s one of my things on the to-do list. There’s a lot of things still to do.”
Those things that Vizquel still wishes to accomplish range from semi-extreme (flying an F-16) to borderline sightseeing (attending the Triple Crown horse races). Last year’s search for anaconda snakes ranks right up withe this whole matador endeavor.
Apparently, 11 gold gloves and 2700 hits as a major league baseball player still leaves one feeling a bit empty inside. Vizquel does say that he wishes to play at least one more season in the major leagues. I know of a certain franchise that could use some much-needed leadership that could be obtained from a 42-year old local hero.
Wishful thinking, undoubtedly, but Vizquel could be a cheaper version of Jamey Carroll with equal power and a ton more fan attraction when it comes to getting bodies in the seats to watch a team that will not be competing any time soon.
13 Comments
Scott-it’s not wishful thinking, it would be an ideal situation all around. Much as it would have an ideal to re-sign Omar initially at the two year pittance he wanted, rather than release him and move Jhonny at SS (Jhonny should have been installed at 3B with Omar left at SS to groom the infield). Then, another chance to sign Omar passed and Texas jumped all over it to groom Elvis Andrus. Dolan/Shapiro sure handled that one right.
If the Dolan’s had any understanding of PR and where this franchise is, he’d take the opportunity to jolt things with Omar as player/manager. Sadly, Shapiro’s ego wouldn’t allow bringing Omar back on any count.
Omar represents the Cleveland Indians-it would be a mistake not to take the chance at bringing him back to help re-establish some of the passion with the fans.
What’s likely is that Mike Hargrove will be the chosen one-it’s already being reported out of Seattle. Also note that Seattle considers Hargrove nothing more than a quitter and a head-case who would be prone to quit on any team foolish enough to install him again as manager. Dollars to donuts Shappy will turn to Hargrove since he’ll take the Stepford seat and do and say whatever he’s supposed to. The would not dare bring in fresh experienced enthused blood that would try and take things in another direction (costs money anyway). Watch it happen…….Hargrove as manager in 2010.
Isis, you forgot your tag line, BOOK IT!
Why would Omar groom the infield when the Indians pay a perfectly good grounds crew to do that very job –
MTD Yard Machines, FTW
I too agree that signing Vizquel would be a PR coup for a team that could desperately stand to build a bit of goodwill with the fans. Finding a way to get Vizquel back in and Indians jersey so that the fans can give him a year-long ovation as he closes out a Hall of Fame (and he’ll get there eventually!) career would be exactly the kind of feel-good thing this team needs and exactly the kind of distraction Shapiro/Dolan/New Manager could use to try and draw attention away from the fact that this team will probably lose alot of games again next year.
In fact, if they find a way to hold a press conference to both announce a Vizquel signing AND a Wedge firing at the same time, it may be the most exciting day in Indians Fandom since the team went up 3-1 on the Sox.
I wonder if Omar is looking to play for a contender because he sure won’t find one in Cleveland (unless he’s going to give basketball a try). I’d love to see him back as a utility guy. The Dolans truly are terrible businessmen if they don’t see the value in bringing Omar back to put some fans in the seats.
Stick Vizquel’s attitude inside a guy who can manage, and that’s exactly what we want. Maybe Vizquel is “a guy who can manage.” He seems unafraid to fail and, thus, unlikely to hide behind the veil of “the plan,” “generally accepted managing procedures,” and other baloney that doesn’t win the big one. But I was a Billy Martin nut.
Ozzie Guillen is taking some heat in Chicago. I’d love to see him here.
Anyways, I left the door open and can’t believe nobody’s jumped on it.
It’s a sad day, because it’s obvious that Omar has started up with that Ole Bullsh.t
Denny, you don’t jump on a door, you picador.
Or sometimes you buy a “Welcome” rug and you matador.
What’s wrong with Grover as the manager? Isis, I have to disagree; yes, he had an amazing lineup and hence anyone could have managed the 95-97 Indians, but honestly, I think he also knew to get the most out of mediocre pitching…and let’s face it, back then, that’s what we had.
I’m not sure Hargrove had that bad of pitching. Obviously the Braves were significantly better in the pitching department, but I think the Indians relief pitching was considered pretty epic in 1995. Indians relievers allowed the fewest runs per game (in the AL) despite entering the game in higher-than-average pressure situations (“average leverage index”). (The Braves were the only relievers to allow fewer runs per game, and actually did so in even higher leverage situations.)
See http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1995-reliever-pitching.shtml#teams_reliever_pitching::1 .