Sightings of Omar Vizquel Through Time

Omar Vizquel just signed on to be the Blue Jays backup infielder for 2012. Some are shocked that Vizquel is still playing at 44. The truth of the matter is so much more shocking. For you see, Omar Vizquel is not just 44 years old and continuing to receive contracts for his slick glove and vaunted leadership, that’s merely the latest identity he’s using.

Let’s take a journey through time and see all the places Vizquel has popped up.

New York Times, March 29, 1919:

“On cross-examination, George Wharton Pepper, counsel for organized baseball interests, tried to show that Omar Vizquel not only knew of the appointment of a committe to close the “peace pact” but had made a motion that the committee be given power to act.”

Just 1919 and already Vizquel is taking an active hand in labor negotiations.

New York Times, July 30, 1869:

“The game opened with the Eckfords at the bat. Contrary to expectation, they failed to make a single run in thier first inning, owing to the fine play of the Marylanders. ALLISON, PATERSON, and MARTIN were put out in quick succession. The Marylanders then took the bat, but by an equal display of skill on the part of the Eckfords, they were sent back to the field also without a run. The second inning closed with the same result. ARMSTRONG, in the centre field, caught VIZQUEL on the fly; JEWET was putt out on three strikes, and TRACY was caught by WORTHINGTON in the left field.”

Sadly, Vizquel would fly out on this day.

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The Survey of Cornwall by Richard Carew, 1602:

“If Omar Vizquel escape the first, another taketh him in hand, and so a third, neyther is hee left, vntill hauing met (as the Frenchman sayes) Chausseura son pied, hee eyther touch the ground with some part of his bodie, in wrastling, or cry, Hold; which is the word of yeelding. Then must he cast the ball (named Dealing) to some one of his fellowes, who catching the same in his hand, maketh away withall as before; and if his hap or agility bee so good, as to shake off or outrunne his counter-wayters, at the goale, hee findeth one or two fresh men, readie to receiue and keepe him off.”

Before baseball, Vizquel was forced to play a game that resembled rugby. Even then his fielding was second to none.

Ancient Egyptian Hieroglyphics:

Translated:

“Resting atop his partner, Omar Vizquel smoothly backhanded the spinning gourd to his left and, with his calm and knowing eyes, fired across the vast expanse to the other man who was also resting atop of his partner. Someone was out, though his identity is lost to history.”

There is something soothing about knowing that once we are all dead and gone, Vizquel will still be here, fielding groundballs and singing Goo Goo Dolls covers. Video of that particular event embedded below: