Truth & Rumors > MLB
At 44, Vizquel can't understand quitting
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08:15 AM ET 03.02 | Jason Varitek called it a career Thursday. Magglio Ordonez and Pudge Rodriguez are sitting home, waiting for major-league contracts that may never come. Omar Vizquel is here, in Blue Jays camp, fighting for a job with no guarantees. He's 44 years old, about to turn 45 next month. He doesn't need this. Or maybe he does. "I'm here because I love to play," Vizquel said Thursday morning. ... What he doesn't understand is why so many others don't think another year is worth taking a chance. "You sacrifice a little of your pride," he said. "But I don't know why [others] don't try. If you really feel the energy, why not do it? "It's weird to see all these guys retire, and I'm still on the field."
Pudge Rodriguez, Getty Images
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Comments (15) Add A Comment
They're bad at this point in their careers. That's why they retire, Vizquel.
.ChiSoxFan.
Total Comments (13351)
Funny how much Vizquel looks like Pudge these days. If Vizquel (or any of the others) can really still play, they SHOULD hang around. But if you catch, field, throw or hit anymore, it's time to go. I loved watching Pudge -- but he hasn't hit a buck fifty in several years.
RFD
Total Comments (266)
The Indians really shouldn't have ever let Omar go. I grew up watching him play with the Indians in the 90's and will always remember how special of a fielder he was, especially for the years he was paired with Roberto in the middle of the infield.
GingersHaveSouls
Columbus , OH
Total Comments (94)
Varitek retired because he didn't want to be like Vizquel, Damon, and any other player who didn't know when to hang up the cleats who goes from team to team at the end of their career. Varitek can say that he only played for one team.
Gary The Sox Fan
Total Comments (2646)
i say nothing wrong with hanging around as long as you understand your role and don't think you're still 27 yrs old. vizquel seems to get that. so what the heck?
Hotpants…
Total Comments (903)
I am 46, and would give my left nut to play for one day in the bigs. I cannot blame Vizquel a bit for wanting to stay as long as he can.
...the best policy
Harrodsburg, KY
Total Comments (4027)
He parlayed his defensive abilities into a MLB career that has spanned across 4 decades.
THE BISHOP!
Total Comments (13371)
Side note: He's only 159 hits shy of 3000.
THE BISHOP!
Total Comments (13371)
Getting into the crouch position is not so bad....it's getting back out of it!
Daffy Duck
Total Comments (1189)
Heck I wish he was still with the W. Sox. Never heard anything negative about him during his tenure. Reports indicated that he was helpful with Alexi Ramirez and Gordon Beckham, in the field. He played 2 or 3 days per week, and always seemed ready when called. Can't ask for more than that.
enchanter24
Chicago , IL
Total Comments (55)
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