4
2012
Is Omar Vizquel Hall of Fame Worthy?
An article by 
Last night was a great night for Venezuelan Baseball.
We all know the story by now, Miguel Cabrera is the first non-American born player to ever hit for the Triple Crown, and even when he didn’t have to – he went out and played in a meaningless game on the road, and had 2 at bats before Manager Jim Leyland took him out of the game. He deserves not only a ton of respect for his major accomplishment, but also for asking Leyland to let him play last night when he didn’t have to.
I still feel Miguel Cabrera is not getting the proper respect he deserves not only for the Triple Crown, but for playing last night. Many of us last night witnessed something incredible, and in most cases it’s overshadowed in the media by reports of whether or not Ozzie Guillen or Bobby Valentine will lose their job.
Speaking of Venezuelan’s who aren’t getting the respect they deserve; I’d like to talk about Omar Vizquel.
Last night, the 45 year old played in his final Major League game, and in his final at bat, he singled to CF in the 7th inning.
I was watching the MLB Network after the game, and they interviewed Vizquel and then I heard something – “We’ll see you in Cooperstown,” Harold Reynolds said to Vizquel. I said to myself…
“Self, is Vizquel a Hall of Famer?”
First, let us be up front about what we know about the Hall of Fame. At times, players get in that maybe do not deserve being labeled “all-time great.” Second, we recognize that in most cases, offensive numbers are the most important. Third, we keep players out of the Hall for not playing long enough (Mattingly, Munson for example), but we also shun players for playing too long – creating a classic double standard.
Vizquel began his career in 1989 with Seattle after being signed by them in 1984. From the age of 22 through his 40th birthday, Vizquel averaged 136 games played. Think about that for a second.
When you talk about Vizquel’s candidacy, you automatically compare him to two players. Ozzie Smith and Luis Aparicio. If you want to get real crazy, throw in Rabbit Maranville. But let’s not since most people reading this probably didn’t even know somebody named Rabbit Maranville existed.
Offensive Resume
Luis Aparicio played 18 seasons from 1956-1973. Over those 18 seasons he had: 1,335 Runs Scored, 2,677 Hits, 394 Doubles, 83 HR, 791 RBI, 506 SB, .262 Average, .311 On Base, .343 Slugging.
Through 18 seasons, Vizquel had: 1,283 Runs Scored, 2,472 Hits, 398 Doubles, 73 HR, 818 RBI, 366 SB, .276 Average, .342 On Base, .360 Slugging.
So through the same amount of time: Vizquel had more Doubles, RBI, and a better OBP and SLG than Aparicio who made the Hall of Fame on his 6th try, gaining 84.6% of the vote.
Ozzie Smith played for 19 seasons mostly with St. Louis. Over those 19 years: 1,257 Runs Scored, 2,460 Hits, 402 Doubles, 28 HR, 793 RBI, 580 Stolen Bases, .262 Average, .337 On Base, .328 Slugging.
Through 19 years, Vizquel had: 1,337 Runs Scored, 2,598 Hits, 416 Doubles, 77 HR, 869 RBI, 380 SB, .274 Average, .340 On Base, .357 Slugging.
Ozzie Smith received 91% of the vote, and through the same amount of years played, Vizquel had more, Runs Scored, Hits, Doubles, HR, RBI, less Stolen Bases and a better Average, OBP and SLG percentage.
To put a bow on Vizquel offensively, he played 5 more seasons than Smith and 6 than Aparicio. Vizquel finished his career with 1,445 Runs Scored, 2,877 Hits, 951 RBI, 404 SB, a .272 Average, .336 OBP and a .352 SLG.
I understand you can find any metric you want to disprove most player’s values.
I prefer to look at what really happened, and not formula’s built to create a lack of value on things that actually happened.
In terms of Hits, there are only four retired players to reach 2,877 hits and NOT be elected to the Hall of Fame. Barry Bonds, Rafael Palmeiro, Craig Biggio and Pete Rose.
Defensive Wizard
Defense is the hardest performance to measure after the fact. Do you like errors, range, dWAR, zone rating? Here’s what I use when it comes to the Hall of Fame and defense.
Gold Gloves+My Memory.
Vizquel was the best defensive SS I ever saw.
He won 11 Gold Gloves at SS, and was 39 years old when he won his 11th. I honestly do not think you need to know more about Vizquel defensively than that.
By comparison, Smith won 13 Gold Gloves and Aparicio won 9. Smith through 19 years committed 281 errors, and finished with a fielding percentage of .978. In 24 seasons, Vizquel finished with 183 errors and a .985 fielding percentage.
To give you an idea of the value of Gold Gloves, the only retired players who are (were) Hall of Fame eligible to win double-digit gold gloves and NOT be in the Hall of Fame are Jim Kaat (16), and Keith Hernandez (11). Hernandez’s flaw was he didn’t put up the big offensive numbers at a position known for such a thing.
In Conclusion
I’m not suggesting that Ozzie Smith or Luis Aparicio are not worthy of the Hall of Fame. They were defensive wizards and for their position, respectable at the plate. What I am suggesting is that if they are Hall of Famers – then there is no way you can tell me Vizquel is not.
He was as good if not better defensively, and as good if not better offensively and he managed to play longer.
Vizquel may be the most under-appreciated ballplayer of his generation and I hope the Baseball Writers of America make it up to him by putting him into the Hall of Fame 5 years from now.
About the Author: Michael J. Branda
My time with MMO began in July of 2009 when I wrote a Fan Post defending Omar Minaya (before it was cool to do that.) I grew up a Mets fan with the mid 1980's teams. My favorite Met of all-time is (and was) Wally Backman. When it comes to sabermetrics versus old school thinking, I like to think I meet in the middle. I believe thinking of new ways to get answers is helpful, especially when the same way has not produced results. However, I think over-thinking certain situations can get you into trouble. I'm excited for the new regime, because I believe they have pieces in place to focus on several aspects of the Mets organization. I've waited this long for a World Series, waiting a few more years for another chance isn't going to kill me.
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NL East Standings
| Team | W | L | Pct. | GB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Braves | 24 | 18 | .571 | - |
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| Phillies | 20 | 23 | .465 | 4.5 |
| Mets | 16 | 24 | .400 | 7.0 |
| Marlins | 11 | 32 | .256 | 13.5 |
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Agree
hooray! haha
I learned my lesson yesterday lol
Just joking…I really do agree. Vizquel was overshadowed by those steroid era numbers short stops were putting up for a long time. He was Ozzie with a bat.
“I’m not suggesting that Ozzie Smith or Luis Aparicio are not worthy of the Hall of Fame. They were defensive wizards and for their position, respectable at the plate. What I am suggesting is that if they are Hall of Famers – then there is no way you can tell me Vizquel is not.”
So at first glance, I really did not consider Vizquel to be a HOFer… And a part of me still doesn’t.
However, if the current HOFers are the standard for new HOFers, and we haven’t adjusted them at all, then Vizquel should get in by those standards.
I do believe that the thought process has been altered slightly…but I have to remember to consider defense when considering HOFers. I usually look at it as an add-on, but not a neccesity. I’d vote a DH in. That’s another discussion, though.
I think criteria for Hall of Famers should be broken down by position. For the most part, short stops aren’t going to hit 500 home runs, or do a lot of the things we consider things that have to be accomplished to be inducted. Short stop was traditionally a light hitting position, and Omar was one of those players who not only was great defensively, made it OK to expect some offense from your short stop.
If Vizquel is a Hall of Famer than Jose Reyes is shoe-in for the HOG too.
Vizquel never dominated his era, was never a catalyst, and didn’t do any one thing exceptionally well or ever led the league in any category, while Reyes’ BR page is covered in Bold lettering (League Leader) including a batting title, three stolen base crowns, two silver sluggers, and leading the league in triple four times.
Plus Reyes received MVP votes four times, Vizquel once. And Reyes is 29 and still has years to go.
Vizquel had 3 all star appearances in 24 years, Reyes 4 all star appearances in 9 years.
Vizquel has a career .686 OPS, Reyes almost 100 points higher at .782 OPS.
Congratulations to Jose Reyes, future Hall of Famer.
You’re not really getting the whole “all world” defensive player thing are you? Reyes doesn’t fit that criteria…
Reyes is a very good offensive hitter but he’s not elite and he’s not an elite defender. If Reyes gets to 3,000 hits I agree with you.
First off, Jose was one of my favorite Mets. I don’t pull for him anymore, but I also don’t vote against him either.
He is not HOF worthy for at lest 2 reasons: (1) He is not great defensively and (2) even though he has catalyst ability, he chokes way too often in the clutch.
Neither he nor David Wright win enough games for their team to be considered HOF material.
with regards to clutch hitting lets remember the great derek jeter only has 2 walkoffs in his career. And Jose looks pretty good on fangraphs this year in the clutch hitting department. think wlak-offs are overrated. ryese getting on in thefirst stealing second , moved to third by loduca and sac flyed in by beltran works pretty well also.
I hope one day Keith Hernandez & Mattingly get in together, voted in by the veterans committee.
Here’s something you might like, Jessep.
Vizquel is one of 19 players to play 24-or-more seasons in the majors; nine of them are Hall-of-Famers and four are not (or not yet) eligible (Pete Rose, Roger Clemens, Jamie Moyer and Vizquel). The six eligible players with at least 24 major-league seasons who are not in the Hall are Deacon McGuire, Jim Kaat, Tommy John, Rick Dempsey, Charlie Hough and Jesse Orosco.
That’s from Elias.
Interesting article. I think he deserves to get in on his defense alone. He became a much better hitter as his career progressed. As for shortstops, we will have interesting discussions when guys like Reyes and Rollins finish up their careers. Both will push towards 3000 hits and 600 to 700 steals plus other gaudy numbers. Reyes is a much better hitter and Rollins the better fielder. If they stay healthy and effective both will be enshrined in my opinion. Will be a sad day for Met fans when Jose goes in with that ugly Marlin hat (or Yankee hat)
24 seasons, 3 all star games, 11 gold gloves (2nd SS all time) 2968 games played (12th all time)
10586 at bats (15th all time) 12013 plate appereances (17th all time) 2877 hits (40th all time) 404 stolen bases, 2264 singles (16th all time) 8433 outs made (7th all time) 8050 assists (5th all time) 2709 Defensive games SS (1ST ALL TIME) 7676 assists SS (3rd all time) Most Doble Plays SS (1st ALL TIME) 985 fielding% (1st ALL TIME). Better defensive and ofensive numbers than Aparicio and Smith. This guy is the BEST defensive SS in the history of baseball and a future Hall of Famer