If you see a latin short-stop in baseball wearing the number 13, its often a safe-guess that he is from Venezuela- of course the most current famous #13 is latin and used to be a short-stop, but he just happens to know his baseball history pretty well.

No most #13’s, who play short that is, follow the line started with Hall of Famer Chico Carrasquel and the White Sox, continued with Luis Aparicio and the White Sox.  Following Luis, came my childhood favorite Davey Concepcion- and from Davey came a host of others that have made it to the major leagues.

Two #13’s who are currently involved with teams are Ozzie Guillen, who played for the White Sox at short, and, of course, Omar Vizquel.  Well, now it seems these two will be united under the White Sox logo, with Vizquel about to sign with the south-siders to help mentor the Sox middle infield tandem of Alexi Ramirez and Gordon Beckham.  Ozzie has clearly said that he won’t change numbers- so perhaps Vizquel will have to pick another number- maybe 13* or maybe 130?   Its fun that with so little happening this weekend in baseball that Ben Shpigel wrote a little about the relationships of Ozzie and Omar.  Its also nice that Omar, with his sense of history, will get a chance to play for the White Sox- the team of Chicco, Luis and Ozzie.

If you read me much, you know I look for reasons to talk about Davey Concepcion- one of the greatest shortstops I have ever seen play.  Sparky Anderson had Davey cover pop-ups down the right field line hit in no man’s land in front of the right fielder- that’s how fast and sure he was.

Chico Carrasquel currently runs a foundation to benefit the children of Venzuala, and is supported a bit by the White Sox.  Their “mission, the very heart of the foundation is to focus its work on and dedication to the kids from the barrios throughout Venezuela with one purpose- that of helping them to grow a better future.”  Baseball has helped so many rise out of the barrios.  To learn more about the foundation, click here. There is both a spanish and english version of the charities website.