News
Vizquel makes historic appearance
Vet becomes only third player to play short after turning 42
Omar Vizquel has started more games at shortstop than anyone in Major League history. (AP)
By T.R. Sullivan / MLB.com
04/26/09 6:15 PM ET
BALTIMORE -- Omar Vizquel, who turned 42 on Friday, is expected to start at shortstop for the Rangers on Monday against the Orioles. It will be his fourth start at shortstop this season and a nice way to celebrate another milestone in Vizquel's long and distinguished career. Vizquel, according to research done by Bill Arnold, is only the third Major League player in history to appear in a game at shortstop after his 42nd birthday. The other two were Hall of Famers: Honus Wagner for Cleveland in 1916 and Luke Appling for the White Sox in 1949. Vizquel achieved that milestone on Sunday when he took over at shortstop in the eighth inning after Josh Hamilton hit for Elvis Andrus. Monday will be Vizquel's 2,566th game starting at shortstop, the most by any player in Major League history. He has never started at any other position and isn't expected to anytime soon.Vizquel is the Rangers' utility infielder, but manager Ron Washington said he has no plans to give either second baseman Ian Kinsler or third baseman Michael Young a day off in the immediate future.
"Kins doesn't look like he's tired, and Michael doesn't look like he's tired yet," Washington said. Vizquel did relieve Young at third base for a couple of innings on April 17 against the Royals, the first time Vizquel has played that position in a Major League game. But he has yet to replace Kinsler at second base. Vizquel was 2-for-4 at the plate in all three of his previous starts at shortstop this season.T.R. Sullivan is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
