Kim Klement – US Presswire
Like Old Man River, Toronto Blue Jays‘ infielder Omar Vizquel just keeps rolling along.
Vizquel singled and doubled in the first game of today’s day-night doubleheader at Yankee Stadium. The hits gave him 2,874 for his 24 year career, moving him past Babe Ruth into 40th place in the all-time list.
The 45 year old Vizquel, born in April 1967, is the last active major league player born in the 1960s. When Mariano Rivera went on the DL earlier this season, Vizquel became the last active player who had played in the 1980s.
The Seattle Mariners would no doubt like a mulligan for the 1993 trade that sent Vizquel to the Cleveland Indians for Feliz Fermin, Reggie Jefferson, and cash.
Since his debut with the Mariners in 1989, Vizquel has been the unassuming guy who comes to play, with a quiet dignity, and respect for the game. Headlines were never his passion. You never noticed him until, one day, writers and broadcasters started measuring him for Cooperstown.
Jays’ manager John Farrell had indicated he would start Vizquel in at least one of the three games in New York, to give him a shot at passing Ruth on the New York Yankees’ home field.
If Vizquel returns next year, he will become the 11th player in MLB history to play in 25 seasons.
The Jays would welcome him back, as a guy who can still get it done on the field, and as a mentor for young infielders Brett Lawrie and Adeiny Hechavarria.
To steal a phrase from Martha Stewart: that would be a good thing.
