ARLINGTON, Texas — An incredible pregame celebration filled with family, balloons and a seven-piece band to honor a major career achievement could have doubled as a way to honor Christian Vázquez’s rebound.
On Thursday, Vázquez achieved 10 years of major-league service time, a rare feat celebrated in clubhouses across the league whenever a player reaches the mark.
An elaborate plan concocted by Vázquez’s wife, Gabby, with the aid of clubhouse attendant Frank Hanzlik, allowed the catcher to properly celebrate his momentous occasion even though the Minnesota Twins were on the road.
But they just as well could have celebrated Vázquez’s re-emergence at the plate, too. Over the past six weeks, Vázquez has been one of the team’s best hitters.
Entering Thursday’s 3-2 win over the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field, Vázquez was hitting .344/.379/.656 with four doubles, five homers, 13 RBIs in 67 plate appearances dating back to July 1.
“What we’re seeing is what Christian Vázquez at his best version looks like in his career,” assistant hitting coach Derek Shomon said. “It’s a good hitter. The expectation is never been a guy who’s going to hit 20 homers. It’s not. Is it the ideal result? For sure. … But we need him to be a good hitter and what we’ve seen…
