You have to believe that he performed as a top-10 defender in the league from age 22 to age 40. Vizquel is in Major League camp right now, working mostly with the younger players, and will head over to the Minor League side in early March. Recently in response to a question about Omar Vizquel's Hall of Fame prospects, Paul Hoynes wrote this: First, however, he has to retire. Vizquel Sure, we've all got our blind spots (mine is Amos Otis). A long-running and well-publicized feud erupted between Vizquel and former teammate and friend Jos Mesa. At the end of the season, Vizquel was signed by the Giants as a free agent. Vizquel jokingly danced to mock the umpire before exiting the dugout. All you need to know about the players is that they weren't smart enough to elect Ron Santo when they had the chance. Any accusation to the contrary is false. But is this really someone you want deciding who belongs in the Hall of Fame? And that when you add everything up, Ozzie belongs in the Hall of Fame and Omar well, he wouldn't be the worst shortstop in the Hall of Fame, but he wouldn't be among the top 15 or 20, either. My proposed Vizquel seasons puts him as a top-10 defender in the league 17 times, and at number one four times. All of which is true. If anyone says 90s infield glove wizard anyone immediately thinks omar while no such association exists for edmonds or rolen despite them being more valuable players. Don Larsen had zero great seasons, a few decent ones, and one year 53 Hall of Fame voters voted for him. Today, roughly half the Hall of Fame voters fervently believe that Jack Morris belongs in the Hall of Fame even though Morris, with the exception of one brief moment in 1991, was never considered a great pitcher by many of these same voters. Vizquel won nine consecutive Gold Gloves with the Mariners and Indians, starting with his first in 1993 with Seattle and continuing until 2001. The former Indians legend and all-time great defensive shortstop has found himself in one damning situation after another since retiring. The former big league shortstop was named as a defendant along with the Chicago White Sox and the Birmingham Barons. Omar Vizquel, then the manager of the Birmingham Barons, during a game against the Chattanooga Lookouts in Birmingham, Ala., on May 2, 2019. Mike Janes / Four Seam Images via AP file