Omar! My Life On and Off the Field: Memoirs of a Gold-Glove Shortstop
Offers a superb glimpse into the life of a master sports player and is highly recommended for baseball fans everywhere. (James A. CoxMidwest Book Review20020708)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 . . . 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. (Don McCormackStar Beacon20020516)“Omar” has plenty for the baseball fan, but the candid snapshots into the private life of Cleveland’s favorite Venezuelan are the real sell. (David RottmanWUAB TV4320020424)Captures Vizquel’s quick wit and his passion for baseball. But it also provides glimpses of Vizquel back home in Venezuela, painting in his garage and Jet-Skiing during a hurricane warning . . . And Vizquel writes candidly about his teammates, the 1995 season, and who really deserves to be called the best defensive shortstop in baseball. (Steve GleyduraCleveland Magazine20020501)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. (Andy GrayTribune Chronicle20020502)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 Journal20020801)There’s more to the Venezuelan-born baseball star than defense. His multifaceted personality is apparent in “Omar!” . . . While the book provides a thorough retelling of his baseball career . . . the true surprise comes in learning of Vizquel’s passion for art. (Ohio Magazine20020701)