Article on Omar Vizquel and 3000 hits

[JOSEPHKENDALL]

I didn't realize Vizquel was close to 3000 hits.

http://www.hardballtimes.com/main/article/vizquels-unlikely-quest-for-3000-hits/

[Palanion]

I'm not sure I would consider 172 hits [i:88322eb478]close [/i:88322eb478]in terms of Omar Vizquel. It's an interesting article, but what the author neglects to include is Vizquel's recent perfomances.
While Vizquel was undeniably a fantastic defensive [i:88322eb478]shortstop[/i:88322eb478] (the author writes [i:88322eb478]second baseman[/i:88322eb478]), he is no longer that good in his best area. Over his last four seasons (including extrapolating this season on pace), Vizquel has averaged roughly 65 hits per season. At this current rate, he will need two-plus more years to get to 3000. And I'm not sure anyone is going to be playing a 45- and 46-year-old utility infielder too much, and certainly not at an increase of playing time.
I am a big fan of Vizquel, one of my favorite shortstops ever, but he's not a hall of famer. And he won't be a member of the 3000-hit club either.

[The Last Druid]

[quote:bc4df734f1]Undeniably an elite defender and Gold Glove regular at second base, his hit total keeps climbing.
[/quote:bc4df734f1]

The author is a moron. Vizquel never won a gold glove at 2B. He played 47 out of 2886 games in his career at 2B.

And the reason the five players in the HOF, except for Anson, who had 3000 hits but never a 200 hit season is because they all walked more than Vizquel. Murray, Henderson and Yaz walked a ton more than Omar. More to the point the guy had two seasons of 175+ hits in his career.

I do agree with the author that it's safe to say Anson played in a different era. What a scintillatingly trenchant statement of the entirely obvious.

Idiot.

On the other hand, if Rabbit Maranville is in the HOF...

[Valen]

I was rather surprised the first time I saw Vizquel and HOF in the same sentence. Even more surprised when I learned he even had a shot at 3,000 however slim it mibght be. Never really thought of him as a hitter.

On the plus side he had some historically low error totals at shortstop. For those who think HOF consideration should be about more than just how many HRs did he hit or offense in general may be more inclined to give Omar consideration.

[voovits]

Isn't Ozzie Smith is in the HOF? If he is, then why not Vizquel? I think it's at least a topic worth discussing. I would not automatically shun him from the hall.