Twenty-six years later, Aparicio — a nine-time Gold Glove winner — remains the lone Venezuelan in Cooperstown. But a fellow slick-fielding shortstop could join him one day, and Aparicio is thrilled to honor a countryman by sharing his number with Omar Vizquel.
"If there is one player who I would like to see wear my uniform number with the White Sox, it is Omar Vizquel," Aparicio said in a statement to ESPNChicago.com after having the South Siders unretire his number for Vizquel. "I have known Omar for a long time. Along with being an outstanding player, he is a good and decent man."
Vizquel has broken many of the remarkable records set by Aparicio over the course of a 21-year career, which began with the Seattle Mariners in 1989. Vizquel became the all-time leader in games played at shortstop in May of 2008 and rose above his countryman in hits on June 25, 2009.
When the White Sox signed the 42-year-old Vizquel to a one-year, $1.375 million deal in November, their motivation was two-fold. Even though Vizquel’s bat no longer qualifies him for a spot in the everyday lineup, he remains an elite fielder, who more than meets the credentials for a utility role. But perhaps more importantly, Vizquel’s tutelage could be invaluable to second-year infielder Gordon Beckham, whose glove work lags behind his tremendous offensive potential.
"I feel privileged to have the opportunity to wear the same uniform number with the White Sox as the great Luis Aparicio," Vizquel said in a statement to ESPNChicago.com. "It is a great honor for me."
