Mike Mussina announced his retirement this week. While I’m glad he won’t be a Yankee anymore, I can’t say I’m happy to hear the news.
Mussina hasn’t been a member of the Orioles in eight years, but he was the team’s pitching staff in the 1990’s. He became the staff ace as soon as he arrived, and won 147 games during his nine and a half seasons with the team. He broke my heart when he left to sign with the Evil Empire, but the Birds had a bad habit of not scoring enough runs for their #1 pitcher and it was hard to blame him for leaving for greener pastures.
Despite his many accomplishments and the fact that he has reached the playoffs nine times, Mussina does not have a World Series ring. His teams have been knocked out four times in the Division Series, three times in the Championship Series, and twice in the Fall Classic. An 18-year, arguably Hall-of-Fame career (see “20 wins for Moose”) is something to be extremely proud of, but can such a tremendous performer really be ready to hang ‘em up without one more chance at ultimate glory?
Don’t go, Moose. It isn’t your time.
Is this the end of the line for Omar Vizquel?
41-year-old Omar Vizquel might have something left in the tank, but it is no sure thing that he will be allowed to prove it. After hitting just .222 with a .283 OBP and slugging .267 in 2008, even rich teams in need of a shortstop are likely to look elsewhere. Vizquel still provides solid defense, but he is not the Gold-Glove winner he used to be (at least in the eyes of the voters) and at this point in his career does not steal very many bases either. His best offensive season was 1999, when he batted .333, stole 42 bases, and even collected an MVP vote, but Vizquel will be forever remembered for his defensive ability, often reminding fans of another great shortstop: The Wizard Ozzie Smith.
If he’s done, the Venezuelan-born defensive genius finishes his career with a .273 batting average, 2657 hits, 385 stolen bases, and 11 Gold Gloves, including nine in a row – in 1993 with the Mariners and 1994-2001 with the Indians. He made three All-Star teams and played in six postseasons – all with the Indians. In the last one (2001), Vizquel hit .409 in 22 at-bats against his former team. I hope he gets the Hall of Fame consideration he truly deserves.
If I Were Mark Teixeira…
I published another article on Bleacher Report. It’s called “If I Were Mark Teixeira…”
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/81793-if-i-were-mark-teixeira
O’s Notes
The Orioles recently unveiled a new uniform; all they have to do now is change the team name and hope it works as well for them as it did for the Rays.
Keywords: Bleacher Report, defensive genius, Hall of Fame, Mark Teixeira, Mike Mussina, Moose, new team name, new uniforms, Omar Vizquel, Orioles, retirement
