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[[image:MLB-VE-Omar_Vizquel_01.jpg|right|]]
'''Omar Enrique Vizquel González''' (born [[April 24]], [[1967]] in [[Caracas, Venezuela]]), better known as '''Omar Vizquel''' (viz-KELL), is a [[Major League Baseball]] [[shortstop]] and [[switch hitter|switch-hitter]] who has played with the [[Seattle Mariners]] (1989-93) and the [[Cleveland Indians]] (1994-2004) but currently plays for the [[San Francisco Giants]].
Vizquel represents another link in the chain of gifted shortstops from Venezuela, a chain that includes [[Chico Carrasquel]], [[Luis Aparicio]], [[Dave Concepción]] and [[Ozzie Guillén]]. He has very soft hands and recovers quickly from miscues. With a good range to both sides, he can throw off-balance with a quick release. Vizquel turns the [[double play]] fearlessly, and no one handles [[popup]]s in short [[Left fielder|left field]] or down the line with such ease. His barehanded plays on slow bounding balls constantly frustrate opposing batters. In [[2002 in sports|2002]], he made only seven [[Error (baseball statistics)|errors]] in 150 games, but the [[Gold Glove]] award went to [[Alex Rodriguez]] to end Vizquel's nine-year run as the reigning shortstop in the [[American League]].
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A strict workout routine and adjustments in the batting cage made Vizquel a more complete and stronger hitter with the Indians. In [[1996 in sports|1996]] he batted .297, with nine [[home run]]s, 64 [[runs batted in]], 98 [[Run (baseball statistics)|runs]], 36 [[Double (baseball)|doubles]], and a .362 [[on base percentage]]. In the years to come, he hit .280 .288, a career-high .333 in [[1999 in sports|1999]], and .287 the next year. In the same period he [[stolen base|steal]] 179 bases. On the field, Vizquel teamed with [[second baseman]] [[Roberto Alomar]] one of the most decorated keystone combination of all time.
After hit 14 homers and 72 RBI career-highs in [[2002 in sports|2002]],Vizquel underwent a surgery on his right knee to repair a cartilage. He played only 64 games in [[2003 in sports|2003]] when a second surgery was necessary. In [[2004 in sports|2004]], he returned in good form batting .291 in 148 games. Following the 2004 season, Vizquel signed a three-year, [[US$]]12.25 million contract with the San Francisco Giants.
Vizquel is a career .275 hitter with 66 home runs and 715 RBI in 2138 games.
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