2007-08-26 09:38:08 · 20 answers · asked by iknowball 5 in Sports ➔ Baseball
Omar had about 30 more games at SS than Ozzie. Yet Ozzie has about 300 more putouts, 900 more assists, and a much much higher range factor (5.03 versus 4.4 to a league average of 4.10/4.11). Omar does have about 50 more double plays, which is good. He has made fewer errors, but some of that is simply not getting to as many balls. I will take the net 1000 extra outs that Ozzie Smith has on the whole.
Using “spectacular plays” to judge fielders is a poor way to do it. Some great fielders, such as Ryne Sandberg and Cal Ripken, Jr., hardly ever made highlight reels because of positioning.
Ditto for “making it look easy.” Baseball and sports in general are entertainment, sure. But in judging who is better (not who is more fun to watch), results are far and away the most important criteria.
Ozzie Smith was a better defensive player than Vizquel.,
Of course, that doesn't automatically make him the best "in history," but that's another question.
2007-08-26 11:33:01 · answer #1 · answered by Bucky 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
It is clear that Ozzie Smith is the greatest defensive shortstop in history. I am not so sure Omar Vizquel is #2.
2007-08-26 18:48:12 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Ozzie Smith
2007-08-26 17:00:01 · answer #3 · answered by Danielle 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Ozzie was great,but hands down best defensive shortstop ever is Omar Vizquel. When Omar played for the Tribe he was loved for his bare handed grabs, his errorless innings records, and his ability to make it all look so easy. He was a great offensive player as well. Very smart base runner. He batted in the two hole and knew how to work a pitcher, adding to Kenny Lofton's stolen base numbers. We miss him in Ohio.
2007-08-26 18:05:20 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
Those that answered Ozzie...never watched Omar day in and day out. Omar makes every youth baseball coaches nightmares because of the way he makes everything look routine...even the amazing. I had the pure joy to watch Omar Vizquel in Cleveland for all those years, and not taking anything away from Ozzie...Omar was absolutely the best, hands down!!!!
2007-08-26 17:23:36 · answer #5 · answered by Doug 4 · 2⤊ 2⤋
Ozzie Smith. Not just because he's great a short-stop, but because he can defend his team. I saw him LIVE at San Diego Stadium, pop the home plate umpire in the nose for making a wrong call, when he was a Padre.
2007-08-28 15:21:44 · answer #6 · answered by xenypoo 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ozzie, hands down. Much better than Vizquel
2007-08-26 16:46:39 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
Ozzie Smith of course
2007-08-26 16:44:05 · answer #8 · answered by Hoss R 1 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I cant believe anyone would awnser Vizquel Ozzie was the best easily maybe the best defensive player of all-time
2007-08-26 17:35:03 · answer #9 · answered by Raider-Fan76 1 · 1⤊ 2⤋
To ask this is an insult to Ozzie Smith
2007-08-26 16:50:55 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋