http://www.dugoutcentral.com/blog/?p=1570

I don’t know why I get worked up about these HOF debates .. but they always work.

Listen, I love Omar. Given, okay? I think it was Omarrocks who put it best when he said, “Omar rocks.”

That said. I’ve put up with a lot of people who won’t stop talking about Omar to the point of hyperbole. One guy I know said, “Maybe seeing Omar will give Peralta the kick in the pants he needs to start playing.”

Yeah, buddy. Maybe Omar’s 24 OPS+ will inspire Jhonny’s 90 OPS+, or his 1.063 OPS over the past week.

I know none of you are these people. I just need to get that off my chest to someone who understands those numbers.

Again, I love Omar. But man.

I think anyone who grew up with those Indians teams remembers Omar the best of all of that group. There is something about the way he plays and carrisd himself that reminds you of how much fun baseball should be. Yeah, he’s old now and he can’t hardly hit anymore, maybe he’s lost a step on the basepaths and maybe (perish the thought) his range is inches less than it used to be, but he’s still Omar.

I remember being so upset that Cleveland wasn’t going to resign Vizquel that I actually wrote a letter to Mark Shapiro stating why he should bring Vizquel back. It didn’t work, but Shapiro made a solid counter argument when he wrote back, haha.

First-ballot Hall of Famer for sure. I wonder if he’ll end up being one of the last defensive-minded shortstops to make it into the Hall. There seems to be so much emphasis on offense now, even for middle infielders. It will be interesting to see what type of players get inducted at that position in the future.

Omar’s 7-69 slump has dropped his average to .171. Burriss was given the start at SS Sunday in KC so Omar will have had 2 full days off prior to his return to Cleveland.

Who knows how much longer he will hold on as the starter?

I always thought Omar was inadequately measured by statistics. He was fun to watch when he played here; he had real flair and clearly enjoyed being good at what he did - especially fielding. One thing those 90s teams really had was entertainment value - Belle glaring at pitchers, Baerga’s animation, moon shots from Thome, etc. I think that’s one reason people really like Grady (and Cabrera too)—they’re fun to watch, even if things aren’t going well.

I hope Omar gets the reception he deserves tonight. I always though he played the game with a lot of class – the way it was meant to be played and had fun doing it.

Although he should be remembered for his defense, my fondest memory of his performance is his bases loaded triple with 2 outs in the bottom of the 9th that (finally) tied the game in the 12 run comeback over the Mariners in 2001.

It’s been posted here before, but those who would like to relive that game (and who other than members of lookoutlanding wouldn’t), there’s a nice piece with audio from the radio feed and visual aids here.

I’m guessing the game tonight is sold out, seeing as how it won’t let me buy tickets.

Omar’s presser currently on WTAM

I have a story about Omar, courtesy of my wife. About 9 or 10 years ago, when she was in her early college years (long before I knew her), she and some of her girl friends went to Toronto to see the Indians play. They went to the hotel where the players were staying to meet them and get some autographs. They saw Omar, Manny, Einar Diaz, and some others. Anyways, Omar was flirting with them and invited them up to his room. Then he kissed her!! Omar kissed my wife! They turned him down, of course.

I always heard he was a ladies’ man and fooled around, but now I have proof.

The story of Omar’s confrontation with the Yankee fan on the subway just re-enforces my admiration for him and also solidifies another premise of mine. That is: you don’t ever wanna fool around with a professional athlete, no matter how small or metro-sexual you think he is. All of these guys are in great shape and most of ‘em have no qualms about tradin’ shots.