Former Pitcher's Daughter Wows American Idol

Oh, "American Idol"...thank you for bringing a familar face back to my television.

No, I'm not talking about Randy Jackson, Steven Tyler, J. Lo or Ryan Seacrest...I'm talking about former big leaguer and MLB Network analyst Joe Magrane!

In case you missed it, the one-time St. Louis Cardinals hurler was on hand at the Savannah auditions when his daughter, 15 year-old Shannon, belted out an Etta James tune.  But it was the exchange between the elder Magrane and Aerosmith frontman Tyler that left a bigger impression.

"How's Beantown," the lefty pitcher asked.

Tyler's response?  "Hot, humid and happening...just like your daughter."

Yes...his fifteen-year-old daughter.

And, no, this isn't the first time the spawn of a former Major Leaguer has made it on to the show.  Heck, it isn't even the first time a family member from one of the 1987 National League Champion Cardinals has made the show.

During Season Four, Niko Smith, son of Hall of Famer Ozzie Smith, made the cut and sang his way to ninth place and a recording deal.

But back to the younger Magrane.  Shannon got her ticket and is "off to Hollywood!"...but it won't be her first time performing in front of a crowd.

This past May, she sang the National Anthem before a Tampa Bay Rays game.

Ozzie vs. Omar...who ya got?

I realize that in the wake of Randy Johnson’s 300th win, Tom Glavine being released by the Braves and John Smoltz poised to make his return to the big leagues…this isn’t the sexiest Hall of Fame discussion.

But did you know that Texas Ranger Omar Vizquel is one base knock away from tying Hall of Famer Luis Aparicio for most hits by Venezuelan born player?

Yeah…I didn’t think so.

I was watching the Rangers take on Boston last weekend and as they talked about Vizquel closing in on Aparicio on the “most hits by a Venezuelan” list (they made no mention of him closing in on “most hits by a shortstop”), I was reminded of a similar situation almost two years ago.

You see, then, I was watching the Red Sox face off against the Giants and the announcers were talking about whether or not Vizquel is a Hall of Famer. Without hesitation, all three of the announcers agreed that he would make it in on the first ballot.

They compared his numbers (both offensive and defensive) to Ozzie Smith, talked about Vizquel’s 11 Gold Gloves (9 consecutive at one point) and again, compared his to Ozzie’s thirteen in a row.

They quoted former Cardinals skipper Whitey Herzog (who once said something along the lines of…“Smith might not knock in 100 runs in a season, but he’ll save you that many”), and even had a highlight reel cut together showing how both he and Vizquel saved runs for their respective teams.

As mentioned, the most compelling case for Vizquel’s enshrinement is the similarity between his numbers and those of Smith.

Both are slap hitters with okay career averages (.273 for Omar, .262 for Ozzie). Both of them amassed a good amount of hits (2676 and counting for Omar, 2460 for Ozzie). And both of them had some success in the post season.

I know it’s a long shot and not likely, but should Vizquel play until he is 45 (he is 42 now and a backup in Texas), he’ll be closing in on 3000 and virtually a lock for Cooperstown.

Not bad for a guy who, since 1989, has been in and out of the lineup solely for his glove, right?

When the Hall came calling for Carlton Fisk (a second ballot guy only because of the competition he was up against), everyone cited his longevity at one position, so is it safe to say the conversation will be the same for Vizquel?

He is currently the leader for games played at shortstop and is the career leader for being part of most double plays than any other fielder.

Not too shabby.

Fielding percentage…how ‘bout it?

This is something the writers will look at…and, frankly, they should.

The awe inspiring fielding and sheer volume Gold Gloves should speak for themselves (sorry Jim Kaat), but when push comes to shove…the Hall will look to those already enshrined for a basis of comparison.

Vizquel has a career .985 fielding percentage at shortstop…nice!

Compare that to the slick fielding “Wizard of Oz” (.978) and “Little O’s” inclusion is starting to look pretty good. Compare it to Aparicio (.972) and Pee Wee Reese (.962) and you should start reserving room for Omar’s plaque.

At one time, he also shared the American League record for consecutive errorless games at shortstop (95) with Cal Ripken, Jr.

This guy is a no brainer, right?!?

Wrong.

The biggest reason why Omar Vizquel won’t get elected into the Hall of Fame on his first try is that he will be greatly overshadowed by the other names on the ballot.

There just won’t be enough votes to go around.

When Vizquel is eligible for Hall consideration he could very well be going up against Randy Johnson, Ken Griffey Jr., Tom Glavine, John Smoltz, Jim Thome, Trevor Hoffman and Gary Sheffield.

Honestly, I could probably add a dozen more names to that list…but not all of them would be as Hall worthy. Furthermore, you can’t rule out long time ballot standards getting their fair share of the votes.

Hell, Bruce Sutter finally made it in on his thirteenth attempt and it took Jim Rice fifteen tries!

You can look at Omar Vizquel and see that he is the only shortstop to come around in some time that is Hall worthy. However, if you figure that when it is time for his name to come up for selection, Derek Jeter will have staked his claim as the “Best Shortstop Ever” and the gold standard for the position will be a 6’3” pretty boy with 300 career bombs.

Not a 5’9” Venezuelan who couldn’t get his hands on Minka Kelly’s ass if he paid for it on eBay.

But I digress.

When it is all said and done, Omar Vizquel will find his way into Cooperstown. Not on the first ballot like Ozzie Smith…and maybe not even on the fifth or sixth ballot like Luis Aparicio. Hopefully, and unlike Pee Wee Reese, he’ll be there before the Veteran’s Committee gets its say.

Any way you slice it…he was better than all three and deserves his spot on the wall.

Mustache May 'stache of the Day: Ozzie Smith

Thanks to the continued support of the American Mustache Institute, it is with great pleasure that I continue our month long celebration of the 'stache with a guy who, every time I see him or hear his name...I think not of backflips and dazzling plays at shortstop, I think of the greatest swindle I ever pulled while trading baseball cards.

Ozzie Smith.

The year was 1984. We used to trade cards at recess and I knew what people wanted. One classmate in particular was a HUGE White Sox fan, so, naturally...I used to load up my Sox cards and haul them to school. I traded a 1984 Topps Mike Squires, fresh from the pack for a 1979 Ozzie Smith. At the time, Squires was a common (still is) and the Smith rookie was worth $1.75.

AMI Style: Basically it is a thicker pencil...not quite a painter's brush.

Grade: C/A- Solo...the 'stache itself is nothing to write home about. Combined with those sideburns, we're looking at a Grade A combo.


A special thanks to checkoutmycards.com for the use of their images.

Sheik Omar!

I realize this isn’t the sexiest Hall of Fame discussion surrounding the San Francisco Giants…but here goes.

I was watching the Red Sox take on (and beat) the Giants on FOX today and the announcers starting talking about whether or not Omar Vizquel is a Hall of Famer. Without hesitation…ALL three of the announcers agreed that he would make it in on the first ballot.

They compared his numbers (both offensive and defensive) to Ozzie Smith. They talked about the Gold Gloves (Omar has 11…9 straight at one point, compared to Ozzie’s thirteen consecutive). They even had a highlight reel cut together showing how both of them saved runs for their respective.

During the telecast, they even quoted former Cardinals skipper Whitey Herzog, who once said something along the lines of…“(Smith) might not knock in 100 runs in a season, but he’ll save you that many”. That could probably be said of Vizquel as well.

They did their homework. Good work, FOX statisticians!

As mentioned, the most compelling case FOR Vizquel’s enshrinement is the similarity between his numbers and those of Smith. Both slap hitters when okay career averages (.274 for Omar, .262 for Ozzie). Both of them amassed a good amount of hits (2500+ for Omar, 2460 for Ozzie). Should Omar play until he is 45 (he is 40 now), he’ll be at 3000 and virtually a LOCK for Cooperstown. Not bad for a guy who is in the lineup solely for his glove.

Omar SHOULD wind up his career as the leader for games played at shortstop. Not too shabby. When the Hall came calling for Carlton Fisk (a second ballot guy ONLY because of the competition he was up against)…EVERYONE cited his longevity at one position. Vizquel is already the career leader for being part of most double plays than any other fielder.

Yes, I, too was amazed that someone keeps track of that shit.

Fielding percentage…how ‘bout it? This is what the writers will look at. The awe inspiring fielding and Gold Gloves SHOULD speak for themselves (sorry Jim Kaat), but when push comes to shove…the Hall will look to those already enshrined for a basis of comparison.

Omar has a career .984 fielding percentage…nice! Compare that to the slick fielding “Wizard of Oz” (.978) and Omar’s inclusion is starting to look pretty good. Compare it to Luis Aparicio (.972) and Pee Wee Reese (.962) and you should start reserving room for Omar’s plaque. Omar also shares the American League record for consecutive errorless games at shortstop with Cal Ripken, Jr.

This guy is a no brainer, right?!?

Wrong.

The biggest reason why Omar Vizquel DOESN’T get elected into the Hall of Fame is that he will be GREATLY overshadowed by the other names on the ballot…there just aren’t enough votes to go around. When Omar is eligible for Hall consideration he could very well be going up against Roger Clemens, Barry Bonds, Greg Maddux, Craig Biggio, Randy Johnson, Tom Glavine, John Smoltz, Curt Schilling, Frank Thomas, Jim Thome, Mike Piazza, Sammy Sosa (I know…I know) Trevor Hoffman and Jeff Kent.

Honestly, I could probably add a dozen more names to that list…but not ALL of them would be as Hall worthy (and each of them is) as the ones I mentioned. Furthermore, you can’t rule out long time ballot standards getting their fair share of the votes. Hell, Bruce Sutter FINALLY made it in on his thirteenth attempt!

Granted, add Vizquel’s name to the above list and he is the only shortstop. HOWEVER…you should figure that when it is time for his name to come up for selection, Derek Jeter should have staked his claim as the “Best Shortstop EVER” and the gold standard for the position will be a 6’3” pretty boy with 300 career bombs. Not a 5’9” Venezuelan who couldn’t get his hands on Jessica Biel’s ass if he paid for it on eBay.

But I digress.

When it is all said and done…Omar Vizquel will find his way into Cooperstown. Not on the first ballot like Ozzie Smith…maybe not even on the fifth or sixth ballot like Luis Aparicio. But rather, thanks to the Veteran’s Committee…he’ll probably end up getting in like Pee Wee Reese did.

It’ll be a shame too…he was better than all three.