Omar Vizquel is facing some serious accusations from wife Blanca regarding domestic violence. MLB is investigating the allegations. (USA Today photo)

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

Just a few days ago, ex-major league shortstop and candidate for the Hall of Fame Omar Vizquel was named manager for the Toros de Tijuana (LMB) Mexican Baseball League. A man who has dedicated most of his adult life to the game of baseball is now facing one of his biggest challenges, outside the baseball world.

Blanca Vizquel, 36 said her husband physically abused her in 2011. This was before they were married in 2014, but also describes other occasions of abuse and after a heated argument this past August she decided to file for divorce.

Omar Vizquel said: “I have never hit or been violent towards my wife, Blanca. Any accusation to the contrary is false” and added, “I never expected this divorce proceeding to play out in public, but I will continue to defend myself and my name against these false accusations. Our divorce should be settled in a court of law, not in the court of public opinion.” Information published by The Athletic.

Vizquel, a shortstop played in the major leagues for 24 seasons, won 11 Gold Gloves (only Ozzie Smith at shortstop won more, 13) and was one of the best fielding players in history at any position. During the most recent voting for the Hall of Fame, Omar Vizquel received 52.6 percent of the vote (short of the 75% needed for election).

Nevertheless a serious potential member of the exclusive class at Cooperstown. As a broadcaster, the best double-play combination I ever saw was the Cleveland Indians, Roberto Alomar at second-base and Omar Vizquel at shortstop.

Although it is not the most famous in history, it is hard to find any two guys playing like magicians at those positions. A TV producer could easily do a 30 minute program just showing their wizardry making double-plays. Roberto Alomar was elected to the Hall of Fame and I can only hope same for Omar Vizquel in the future.

But these kinds of stories are not exactly what the people at Cooperstown want to see. Omar Vizquel was always a great interview, playing or as a coach in the major leagues. As recent as 2018, he managed the Winston-Salem Dash of the Carolina League, an affiliate of the Chicago White Sox. He guided the club to an 84-54 record.

One of the best interviews I did with Vizquel was when he was playing with the Giants. As I remember I told him he could chose a career between broadcasting, since he is extremely well versed in baseball and very articulate and the other was a Manager.

He didn’t hesitate to tell me, “Yo quisiera ser manager algún día” trans- “I would like to manage someday”. On another occasion he was at the Giants Fanfest at the Park; when he came over to The Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum and Hall of Fame table/exhibit and took his time to talk to many of his adoring fans.

He has always been a very popular player. No matter whom he played for. This sad news of the domestic dispute is the typical “He said, she said” or (if you will) “She said, he said” story. A player of the caliber of Omar Vizquel, worthy of election to the Hall of Fame (in my humble opinion) cannot afford these days to be involved in these types of disputes.

Nobody really knows what goes on behind closed doors. I wish him as well as Blanca, the best possible outcome. We are all human. As the man whose birthday we are celebrating on Dec. 25th said: “whoever is free of sin, let him cast the first stone”.

Feliz Navidad – Merry Christmas

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