Let's not throw a hissy fit now

I figured out my purpose in life.

It's to have this blog forever and ever and make it go mainstream so I can educate stupid people.

I'm already seeing people jump on Mark Shapiro about Omar Vizquel signing with Chicago.

Really now? Seriously?

I've been joking around on Twitter (Because that's what I use Twitter for) about it and have been saying these things about Omar.

But there are people out there that are actually serious.

I mean the "Vizquel picks Sox ahead of Indians" title on Indians.com isn't helping matters, but people refuse to read beyond that.

They avoid the most important part of the article.

"The Indians did express interest in Vizquel, but they were told by his agent, Adam Katz, that the White Sox were a higher priority on his list. It had been speculated that the 42-year-old Vizquel, perhaps seeking future support for his Hall of Fame candidacy, wanted to land with a "high-profile" club, and the Sox are obviously in a bigger market than the Tribe."

You see that?

I've bolded it for reference. The Indians asked, Omar said no and that is the rumored reason.

So if your going to get on someone, don't get on Shapiro, get on Omar Vizquel for picking the White Sox. BECAUSE HE DID.

I'm glad some people have realized this.. Others have not.

However, we need to now discuss Omar and this situation, because it's now bleeding into traitor territory.

1. Money was not an issue here. I'm sure the Tribe would have paid him close what the Sox did.

2. Situation was not an issue here. He's a utility man/mentor in either case.

So that leaves his reasoning down to being with fellow countryman/shortstop Ozzie Guillen or as the rumor put it, being with a more high profile team to gain HOF support.

I can see it, more stops, more fans (because everywhere Omar goes, he is loved). That makes sense.. But it's rather insulting as an Indian fan to sit here and listen to this reasoning come out.

If he wanted to unite with Ozzie or something, that's cool. (Let me remind you that we've got a Venezuelan middle infield though, one who plays his position, wears his number and idolized Omar growing up).

But if this is a ploy to get more HOF Support? Come on, he's got enough. He's going in as an Indian, he'll be getting mass support from the West for his work with Seattle and San Francisco, from the south with his stint in Texas and of course here on the East with Cleveland. He's no doubt turned many writers and watchers of the game into fans of the guy.

Now this all being said.

While it is in traitor territory, let's not go crucifying Omar Vizquel for being an actual traitor.

This is low on the scale of traitor scale.

Let's not all of a sudden not be fans of him anymore.

And there is another factor here to consider.

Chicago was in the running for the playoffs last year. Granted this is the AL Central, but they look to have a more balanced team that is going to contend NEXT YEAR. So maybe he wants to win a ring, because that's something he still hasn't done.

Which again, is another reason I can buy.

But this "rumored" reason better be close to false, because it stinks for Cleveland and us fans of the team if it's true.

So the moral of this story is this.

1. Let's not crucify Omar Vizquel for signing with a rival, we probably will never know the real reason, but the "rumored" one is low on the scale of traitor. Be a little miffed, but don't boo him when he walks onto Progressive Field this upcoming season.

2. Let's not bash Mark Shapiro AT ALL for not signing him. He asked, was turned down. He did all he could do. Stop being irrational.

3. Omar still belongs in the Hall of Fame.

4. I still maintain that they could make up his salary in "Vizquel 13" T-Shirt sales... Not to mention Cabrera shirts because he most definitely would change his number now.

Before I bow out.. A few links to share.

I penned an article about Sandy Alomar Jr.'s return to Cleveland. I know we've been over it like crazy, but hey.

We probably won't talk until it happens, thanks to Thanksgiving tomorrow and probably the lack of news from now and until Sunday. But Jake Westbrook will make his first Winter League start this Saturday for Ponce in Puerto Rico. (Why is Puerto coming up as a wrong spelling in firefox? Who crazy, just after I mention it the red line went away).

IPI has an AFL Wrapup post up going over more than just stats, which is key especially for pitchers when you are talking about Arizona. Of course McBride had the killer AFL stint.

Finally a new Indians Inbox went up yesterday. More of the same that AC has and everyone else has been over in the past week. Kerry Wood, the bullpen, Acta, Rule 5 Stuff...

Speaking of, I'll have a new Rule V Article up on B/R sometime today or Friday.