José Vizcaíno
Encyclopedia
José Luis Vizcaíno Pimental (born March 26, 1968 in San Cristobal, Dominican Republic
) is a former Major League Baseball
player. He was a backup infielder
for most of his MLB career. In , he played a significant role with the Chicago Cubs
, having 551 at-bats and being 9th in the National League
with 131 singles
as well as second in the NL with 9 sacrifice flies. He finished in the top ten in hits
two other times in his career: Fifth in 1995 in the N.L. and 10th in 1997 with the N.L. as a member of the San Francisco Giants
. In , he claimed the starting shortstop
job with the New York Mets
.
He was a valuable backup for the Houston Astros
. During the season, he played most of the time at shortstop during the Astros' 36-10 run, as well as most of the playoffs, because Adam Everett
was out with a broken wrist.
He is most known for a hit on October 21, , in Game 1 of the World Series
as a member of the New York Yankees
. In the bottom of the 12th inning of the then longest game in Series history, Vizcaíno hit the game winning single. Later, in Game 2 of the 2005 World Series
(playing for the Houston Astros against the Chicago White Sox
) he came close to repeating the feat when he hit a two-run single with two outs in the ninth to tie the game. However, the Astros went on to lose when Chicago's Scott Podsednik
homered in the bottom of the inning and overshadowed Vizcaíno's heroics. Vizcaíno would later play in the World Series game that broke the record for longest game in Series history on October 25, , (Game 3 in the Astros vs. White Sox series).
He was not offered arbitration following the 2005 season from Houston. He later signed a one-year contract with the San Francisco Giants
, who designated pitcher Brian Burres
for assignment to make room for Vizcaíno on the roster. On August 14, , Vizcaíno was designated for assignment by the Giants. On August 23, 2006, Vizcaíno was signed to a contract by the Cardinals for the rest of the 2006 season as a replacement for injured shortstop David Eckstein
.
Vizcaíno, Darryl Strawberry
, and Ricky Ledee
are the only Major League Baseball players to have played for all four (one-time) New York teams—the New York Yankees, the New York Mets, the Los Angeles Dodgers
, and the San Francisco Giants.
On a humorous note, following his game tying hit for the Houston Astros, Vizcaíno stayed in the game at shortstop for the bottom of the ninth, and on the way out to his position, he realized he had forgotten his cap and had to return to the dugout to get it. After the game Vizcaíno commented "It was crazy, I ran out there without [a cap], and when I realized it, I felt funny. More camera time for me, I guess."
He currently works in the front office of the Los Angeles Dodgers
as a Special Assistant of Baseball Operations.
San Cristóbal, Dominican Republic
San Cristóbal is a municipality and the capital of the San Cristóbal province in the Dominican Republic. Within the municipality there is one municipal district : Hato Damas.-Sectors:*5 de abril*Canastica*El Pomier...
) is a former Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
player. He was a backup infielder
Infielder
An infielder is a baseball player stationed at one of four defensive "infield" positions on the baseball field.-Standard arrangement of positions:In a game of baseball, two teams of nine players take turns playing offensive and defensive roles...
for most of his MLB career. In , he played a significant role with the Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
, having 551 at-bats and being 9th in the National League
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...
with 131 singles
Single (baseball)
In baseball, a single is the most common type of base hit, accomplished through the act of a batter safely reaching first base by hitting a fair ball and getting to first base before a fielder puts him out...
as well as second in the NL with 9 sacrifice flies. He finished in the top ten in hits
Hit (baseball)
In baseball statistics, a hit , also called a base hit, is credited to a batter when the batter safely reaches first base after hitting the ball into fair territory, without the benefit of an error or a fielder's choice....
two other times in his career: Fifth in 1995 in the N.L. and 10th in 1997 with the N.L. as a member of the San Francisco Giants
San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
. In , he claimed the starting shortstop
Shortstop
Shortstop, abbreviated SS, is the baseball fielding position between second and third base. Shortstop is often regarded as the most dynamic defensive position in baseball, because there are more right-handed hitters in baseball than left-handed hitters, and most hitters have a tendency to pull the...
job with the New York Mets
New York Mets
The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
.
He was a valuable backup for the Houston Astros
Houston Astros
The Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team located in Houston, Texas. They are a member of the National League Central division. The Astros are expected to join the American League West division in 2013. Since , they have played their home games at Minute Maid Park, known as Enron Field...
. During the season, he played most of the time at shortstop during the Astros' 36-10 run, as well as most of the playoffs, because Adam Everett
Adam Everett
Jeffery Adam Everett , is an American professional baseball shortstop who is a free agent. He played collegiate baseball at the University of South Carolina...
was out with a broken wrist.
He is most known for a hit on October 21, , in Game 1 of the World Series
World Series
The World Series is the annual championship series of Major League Baseball, played between the American League and National League champions since 1903. The winner of the World Series championship is determined through a best-of-seven playoff and awarded the Commissioner's Trophy...
as a member of the New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
. In the bottom of the 12th inning of the then longest game in Series history, Vizcaíno hit the game winning single. Later, in Game 2 of the 2005 World Series
2005 World Series
The 2005 World Series, the 101st Major League Baseball championship series, saw the American League champion Chicago White Sox sweep the National League champion Houston Astros four games to none in the best-of-seven-games series, winning their third championship and first since 1917.Home-field...
(playing for the Houston Astros against the Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
) he came close to repeating the feat when he hit a two-run single with two outs in the ninth to tie the game. However, the Astros went on to lose when Chicago's Scott Podsednik
Scott Podsednik
Scott Eric Podsednik is a Major League Baseball outfielder who is currently in the Philadelphia Phillies organization. Podsednik led the major leagues in stolen bases in with 70.-Minor leagues:...
homered in the bottom of the inning and overshadowed Vizcaíno's heroics. Vizcaíno would later play in the World Series game that broke the record for longest game in Series history on October 25, , (Game 3 in the Astros vs. White Sox series).
He was not offered arbitration following the 2005 season from Houston. He later signed a one-year contract with the San Francisco Giants
San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
, who designated pitcher Brian Burres
Brian Burres
Brian Burres is a Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates. Burres' best pitch is his changeup, which is highly regarded...
for assignment to make room for Vizcaíno on the roster. On August 14, , Vizcaíno was designated for assignment by the Giants. On August 23, 2006, Vizcaíno was signed to a contract by the Cardinals for the rest of the 2006 season as a replacement for injured shortstop David Eckstein
David Eckstein
David Mark Eckstein is a former American professional baseball player who was an infielder in Major League Baseball for ten seasons. He played college baseball for the University of Florida, and has played professionally for the Anaheim Angels, St. Louis Cardinals, Toronto Blue Jays, Arizona...
.
Vizcaíno, Darryl Strawberry
Darryl Strawberry
Darryl Eugene Strawberry is a former American Major League Baseball outfielder who is well-known both for his play on the field and for his controversial behavior off it...
, and Ricky Ledee
Ricky Ledée
Ricardo Alberto "Ricky" Ledée is a former Major League Baseball outfielder who played for the New York Yankees, Cleveland Indians, Texas Rangers, Philadelphia Phillies, San Francisco Giants, Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Mets in his decade long professional career. He won two World Series...
are the only Major League Baseball players to have played for all four (one-time) New York teams—the New York Yankees, the New York Mets, the Los Angeles Dodgers
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
, and the San Francisco Giants.
On a humorous note, following his game tying hit for the Houston Astros, Vizcaíno stayed in the game at shortstop for the bottom of the ninth, and on the way out to his position, he realized he had forgotten his cap and had to return to the dugout to get it. After the game Vizcaíno commented "It was crazy, I ran out there without [a cap], and when I realized it, I felt funny. More camera time for me, I guess."
He currently works in the front office of the Los Angeles Dodgers
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
as a Special Assistant of Baseball Operations.