Omar Vizquel’s bat speed is a little slower and his hairline has moved a bit higher since he left Cleveland, but his charisma is as strong as ever. Ditto for his quick wit.

“I want to tell the fans, ‘Don’t throw any oranges or bottles at me while I’m here,’” he quipped, flashing his trademark smile. “I still have a lot of great memories from this town and this baseball team. And I want to tell them I still root for the Indians and hope they do well — not tonight, though.”

Vizquel had no reason to worry as he was the most popular player at Progressive Field on Tuesday night — even though he is now the starting shortstop for the San Francisco Giants.

The diminutive Venezuelan was feted with a pair of prolonged standing ovations by the crowd of 29,024, as well as a pregame video tribute by the Tribe organization. Vizquel even got cheered when he knocked in a run with a sacrifice bunt in the ninth inning of San Francisco’s 3-2 victory.

As Indians legend Bob Feller accurately put it, “If you don’t like Omar, you don’t like yourself. He’s one of the better ones in this racket.”

Vizquel clearly appreciated the collective welcome home, soaking in every second while bowing, waving, saluting and blowing kisses to all corners of the ballpark.

“It’s just amazing how your mind is transformed when you step back onto the field,” the 41-year-old said. “I played here 11 years, and in that period of time you connect with a lot of people, doing clinics, meeting a lot of fans. I just loved the whole Latin feel and fit in right away.

“We got the chance to play in the World Series in 1995 and 1997, but it is still hard to believe we couldn’t finish the job.”

Though Vizquel made a point to frequently refer to his ex-Cleveland and current San Francisco teammates, there was no denying the evening — and the ongoing three-game series — is all about him.

Indians manager Eric Wedge admitted as much, praising the three-time All-Star as “a special player. Obviously, he has a special place in the game.”

Since signing with the Giants in 2004, “Little O” has added two Gold Gloves and a pair of National League fielding titles to his enormous trophy case. He also has broken the all-time Major League Baseball record for games at shortstop (2,603 and counting), double plays at the position (1,678) and career fielding percentage (.984).

And even as he works his way back from offseason surgery on his left knee, Vizquel continues to make highlight-reel worthy defensive plays, as illustrated by his .993 season fielding percentage.

“My knee is not 100 percent and I’m going through a lot of issues with it,” he admitted. “Sometimes I can walk around fine. Other times, I can barely play my game.”

Vizquel’s physical problems are taking their toll at the plate, where he is batting a lifetime-low .167 and is stuck in an 0-for-18 slump. He went 0-for-3 against the Tribe, keeping his career hit total at 2,616 (second among active players to Ken Griffey Jr.’s 2,620).

“It’s a question, but I do want to continue playing after this year,” said Vizquel, who will be a free agent at the end of the season. “I feel young inside and I feel like I can still play, but I have to prove it on the field.”

Considering his advanced age and $5 million annual salary, though, this week could turn out to be his final trip to Cleveland.

Fortunately, the heartfelt applause that Vizquel received was similar to the receptions that Sandy Alomar Jr. and Kenny Lofton got in their first games back in town. Those cheers are also the polar opposite of the sounds Manny Ramirez and Jim Thome — arguably the best players from the Indians’ recent glory days — continue to hear at the former Jacobs Field.

“It is disappointing because those guys were as much a part of the team as anybody,” said Vizquel, who ranks among the Tribe’s all-time top 10 in hits, games, runs, RBI, doubles and stolen bases. “People forget that Manny and Thome started hitting 7-8 on that dynasty of the ‘90s. They left under different circumstances than me (as high-priced free agents), and I think that has something to do with it.”

Ramirez, Thome and Vizquel do have something in common beyond their shared tenures in Cleveland. Each has established a legitimate case for enshrinement in the Baseball Hall of Fame.

In Vizquel’s favor are his 11 Gold Gloves, his remarkable fielding statistics and his longevity as one of five shortstops to play a record-tying 20 seasons. His body of work also compares favorably to Luis Aparicio, whose games record he surpassed, and recent inductee Ozzie Smith.

Primarily working against Vizquel are the markets he has called home as Seattle, Cleveland and San Francisco largely get ignored by the national media, even when their teams win.

“I know Aparicio’s name has come up recently, but I just feel the numbers will speak for themselves,” the avid painter and clothes designer said, adding that he is glad the HOF now selects the hat that players wear on their plaques.

“Seattle gave me an opportunity to play in the beginning, but the Indians were my best years and where I established myself as a player, and the Giants have treated me real, real good. I would be sad if I had to leave a team on the outside.”

With that said, Vizquel may live in Seattle and play in San Francisco, but it’s obvious that he left his heart in Cleveland.

“I thought last year the Indians were really going to do it,” he said. “When the Boston Red Sox came back and beat them in the playoffs, I was so sad. I really do hope they can win a championship. It would mean so much to the city and the fans.” 

Dulik may be reached at brisports@hotmail.com or 330-721-4059.