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January 30, 2013Omar Vizquel, who retired from his playing days following the 2012 season with the Toronto Blue Jays, announced his next career step at the annual Shaw Jewish Community Center sports dinner in Akron last night.
Vizquel, now 45 years old and with 2,877 career hits, will be a roving infield instructor for the Los Angeles Angels in 2013. He mentioned that he will travel from team-to-team in the Angels organization, reporting back on various players to his boss, likely Angels GM Jerry Dipoto.
The 11-time Gold Glove winner said he called the Cleveland Indians about a position, but they were not hiring. So he eventually was able to latch on with the Angels, while still maintaining hope that he will find a managing job at some point and maybe return to Cleveland.
Last night’s announcement of his new job appears to be the first report of Vizquel’s 2013 plans. He said he also hopes to continue speaking engagements throughout the country, especially in Northeast Ohio, and hinted that there is an summer announcement in the works with the Indians. Perhaps it will be a jersey retirement ceremony?
Also in attendance at the Shaw JCC sports dinner were 1590 WAKR’s Ray Horner, Indians Senior VP for public affairs Bob DiBiasio, Indians announcer Jim Rosenhaus, new Akron Aeros owner Ken Babby and several other staffers for the Indians/Aeros. I’ll have more from the dinner later this week at WFNY.
[Related: 15 Years Ago: The Team Of (Almost) Destiny]
13 Comments
BRING OMAR TO CLEVELAND NOW
Spent the last 3 decades spending half the season away from whatever place he then considered home, he retires and now wants to be a roving instructor. Classic road warrior. Always wondered whetther it’s easier or harder to be married doing that.
See you in Cooperstown Omar…
Indians front office: When one of the best defensive players in history and one of the most beloved players in the history of your franchise calls and asks you if you have a job for him somewhere in your organization, YOU….SAY….YES!
One of the good guys. Best of luck
WHAT??? ‘not hiring’????? so SAD to hear this, what a shame that we couldn’t have Omar here. Someone take a TIME OUT. So sad we blew this chance for the most talented gold glove, nevermind that every Indian’s fan loves this awsome player!
Why? Being a good or popular player doesn’t necessarily make you a good coach.
In fact, Omar might be one of the last guys I want teaching players how to field the ball. We want someone who has spent years mastering footwork and positioning, not someone who had that part of the game come to him so naturally, he could do things other guys couldn’t dream of doing. I’d rather have our young guys who need help in the field work with someone they can relate to.
DAMN!
It was an attempt at humor. (although I honestly would love to see Omar back with the Tribe in some capacity someday)
Never seen “Ghostbusters”, I take it?
Hope you’re right. Might be a while, though…
And you have the best teenage SS prospect in ages who was born in PR….For they game he is called up to start, they better have a LINDOR Truffle giveaway promotion…that would be sweet
If it is jersey retirement, that might cause issues. We have a switch-hitting SS that is currently wearing #13 (Cabrera), unless said player is being traded for SP/OF prospects and (another) utility player or two.
I am not sure why defense doesn’t get its due. You’re in the field a whole lot more than you’re at bat – so when you’re the best at that you belong in the hall of fame. especially at a position like SS and C which are all about defense.
But maybe not so much in the OF, which is a place players are expected to produce at the plate. That’s why I like Omar as a HOF but not Andruw Jones (who was my favorite player).