Vizquel looks, feels good as gold

GLENDALE, Ariz. – Omar Vizquel, who turns 44 in April, arrived in camp looking as fit as a 24-year-old.

“It’s really exciting for me to have another year,” Vizquel said “I’m getting older and older and I question myself, how long will it be and when will it be the time. So far so good, man. I feel very, very good.”

The 11-time Gold Glove infielder is 201 hits shy of 3,000.

“I’ve given [3,000] a thought but it’s going to be really hard,” Vizquel said. “It all depends on what I’m going to do this year. Maybe if I get 80 hits, maybe I can push it for another year if I feel good.”

Julio Franco played till age 48. Vizquel is interested in managing when his playing days are over, so he’ll likely hang it up before then to get going on his second career. But you never know. Vizquel, who made his name as one of the best fielding shortstops of all-time, stabilized the Sox at third base when Mark Teahen went down with an injury.

“Everybody is different,” Vizquel said. “Julio played a position that was easier for his body. He played first base, DH, pinch hitting. I’m not going to be able to do those kinds of things. My job is on the field playing second, third, short.

“My hands are what keep me in the game for a long time. I said that a hundred times. As long as my legs are able to reach and jump and do the crazy stuff that the infielders do, I have a chance to make the team.”