At 43, Vizquel not yet ready to hang SSRqem up

Associated Press

GLENDALE, Ariz.

Omar Vizquel donned a sweatshirt and stocking cap on a cool morning in Arizona and headed out early to Chicago’s batting cage.

Just two months shy of his 44th birthday, he arrived early in White Sox camp to prepare for his 23rd major league season.

“My father played softball until he was like 62 years old. That was a great role model for me,” Vizquel said. “I think the metabolism we have in our family is good. We don’t have obesity or something like that. It has been a pretty fit family. We eat well, and we entertain ourselves with recreational activities.”

Vizquel isn’t sure how much longer he’ll play — he’s 201 hits shy of 3,000 — and said he’d like to try managing once those playing days end.

But not likely to make it as player to age 49, like Julio Franco did.

“Julio played a position that was easier for his body. He played first base, DH, pinch hitting,” Vizquel said. “I’m not going to be able to do those kinds of things. My job is on the field playing second, third, short. My hands are the ones that keep me in the game for a long time.”

With third baseman Mark Teahen sidelined for all but 77 games last season because of a broken finger, Vizquel’s versatility was crucial. He became much more than a utility player.

The 11-time Gold Glove winner made 62 starts at third, 19 at second, eight at shortstop and one as the designated hitter while batting .276.

He’ll be back in that utility role with a healthy Teahen and Brent Morel hoping to win the job a third. And early on it’s likely he could see more action at shortstop — where he made his mark as one of the best fielders in the game — especially if starter Alexei Ramirez struggles like he did last April.

Vizquel enjoys studying the game from the bench when he is out of the lineup, critiquing managerial decisions and — when asked — offering advice to younger players.

“It’s nice when they make a play and they talk to you and say, ‘Hey remember when you told me this last week, it really worked out,”’ Vizquel said.

He’s realistic about his odds of reaching 3,000 hits.

“I’ve given it a thought, but it’s going to be really hard. It all depends on what I’m going to do this year,” he said. “Maybe if I get 80 hits this year, maybe I can push it for another year if I feel good, but I’m not thinking about it, really.”