Vizquel retires after 24 seasons

Blue Jays infielder Omar Vizquel exited baseball Wednesday the same way he entered it 24 years ago — with class and humility.

“I feel so fortunate, when I was16 I signed my first contract and I was 165 pounds and didn’t have a lot of confidence,” said Vizquel before taking the field for the final game of a career that began in1989, spanned parts of four decades and included 11 Gold Gloves.

“My story is a different one than most players . . . in my case a lot of people didn’t give me much of a chance to get to where I am today. My parents guided me and my friends supported me and I can’t ask for anything more.”

Jays legend Robbie Alomar joined Vizquel as one of greatest shortstops to ever play the game retired from the big leagues. The two formed one of the greatest doubleplay combinations of all time with the Cleveland Indians in the 1990s.

Former Indian Carlos Baerga and former Expo Andres Galarraga were also on hand, but Vizquel felt especially privileged to have fellow Venezuelan Luis Aparacio joining the group of legends celebrating his career.

“The biggest representation is with Luis Aparacio, the only Hall of Famer we (Venezuela) have,” Vizquel said. “We became friends a long time ago and I can’t tell you how excited I am that he is here beside me now.”

Vizquel hopes to one day take over as a manager or coach, where he can pass along his wisdom to developing players. He performed that role in part in Toronto this season, primarily with the team’s young infielders.