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Omar!

My Life On and Off the Field

by Omar Vizquel | Bob Dyer

• Format: Softcover, 256 pages, 5.5 x 8.5 inches
• Illustrations: 41 color photographs
• ISBN: 978-1-886228-59-7
• Price: $14.95

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Description

You don't have to be a baseball fan to be an Omar Vizquel fan.

Omar doesn't just make the tough plays look easy. He makes the toughest plays look fun. Widely considered one of the best defensive shortstops in the history of baseball, he is often praised by teammates, opponents, and fans alike for working so hard at his game—and for obviously enjoying it so much.

His hard work has paid off. Omar won an amazing nine consecutive Rawlings Gold Glove Awards and holds the highest career fielding percentage of anyone at the position. He has been selected for three American League All-Star teams, has played in two World Series.

In this, his first book, Omar tells the story of his life in baseball, from the sandlots of Caracas, Venezuela, to Game Seven of the World Series and beyond. Along the way he offers a candid look inside the locker room of those powerhouse Indians teams, shares anecdotes about fellow major league ballplayers, and gives plenty of lively opinions on the game they all play.

The hardcover edition spent four weeks on the New York Times Best Seller List.

Reviews

• “Offers a superb glimpse into the life of a master sports player and is highly recommended for baseball fans everywhere.” — Midwest Book Review
• “The writing is an easy and fun read, with many anecdotes about fellow major league ballplayers.” — Morning Journal
• “A fine 251-page effort that details Omar's career with the Indians, along with his life leading up to arriving in Northeast Ohio. Dyer, a columnist for the Akron Beacon Journal, does a wonderful job of making sure Omar's personality comes to life on the pages . . . The book does what it should--converts the nine-time Gold-Glove shortstop's memories, thoughts and ideas to print perfectly. We finished to book in two reads.” — Star Beacon
• “I found myself laughing out loud while reading this book. Kind of like Omar Vizquel was speaking to me personally . . . Omar has such a great knack for reading people. Sort of like a psychologist. He includes some fabulous stories in this book . . . We all think we know the real Omar Vizquel. But, we learn so much more about him from his book . . . A fabulous read.” — WTAM AM Radio
• “In more than fifty years of watching baseball, I've seen all the greats, from Phil Rizzuto to Luis Aparicio and Davey Concepcion and Ozzie Smith, and I can say without thinking twice that Omar Vizquel is the best shortstop ever to play the game . . . It's a simple tale told with love and relish about a fun and successful life.” — Currents
• “A breezy, fun read.” — Free Times
• “An inspiring story of growing up in Venezuela and becoming one of the best defensive shortstops in baseball history.” — Morning Journal
• “We give it a thumbs up . . . A nice, easy read.” — The Plain Dealer
• “Vizquel's delightful sense of humor is evident when he explains that as a child he had always assumed that Batman and the Sesame Street characters he watched on television were Venezuelan . . . Readers will be interested in the chapter “Cashing In” in which the author presents eye-opening information about baseball salary contracts.” — School Library Journal
• “An entertaining and light read about the life of one of the most popular players in Cleveland Indians' history and a true baseball renaissance man . . . One of the most fascinating chapters in the book captures the experiences of the 17-year-old Vizquel dealing with the culture shock of going from Venezuela to Butte, Mont.” — Tribune Chronicle
• “Omar's personal stories add depth and interest--much different than your average baseball book. Once you start reading Omar!, you won't be able to put it down.” — WKKY FM Radio
• “You know how good this book is? It's good enough to make it into my library, and my library consists of a sink, a toilet, and a tub. I read it on the throne every day.” — WKNR AM Radio
• “Omar has plenty for the baseball fan, but the candid snapshots into the private life of Cleveland's favorite Venezuelan are the real sell.” — WUAB TV43

About Omar Vizquel

Omar Vizquel is widely considered one of the best shortstops in the history of baseball. He is well known for his spectacular fielding, clutch hitting, smart baserunning . . . and his quick wit around the clubhouse. His remarkable streak of nine consecutive Gold Glove awards for fielding excellence set an American League record. He has been selected for three All-Star teams, and has appeared in two World Series. More About Omar Vizquel

About Bob Dyer

Bob Dyer has served as a feature writer, a radio/TV writer, and a general-interest columnist for the Akron Beacon Journal since joining the paper in 1984. His stories and columns have won 22 regional and national awards. He was one of the lead writers for “A Question of Color,” a yearlong examination of racial attitudes in Akron that won a Pulitzer Prize in 1994. Dyer is also co-author of Omar! My Life On and Off the Field, with Cleveland Indians baseball star Omar Vizquel. He is a graduate of West Geauga High School, near Cleveland, and The College of Wooster (Ohio). He lives with his wife and two daughters in Copley, Ohio. More About Bob Dyer

Contains References to:

1997 World Series, Akron Beacon Journal, Albert Bell, Caracas, Venezuela, Charles Nagy, Cleveland Indians, Cleveland Municipal Stadium, Dave Burba, Jacobs Field, Jim Thome, Kenny Lofton, Larry Dolan, Roberto Alomar, Vermont Mariners