Entering the middle of July last season, “Old Nick” decided that he would retire at the end of the season. He knew he did not have anything left in the tank and knew it was time to go. He also didn’t want huge fanfare about it either because he knew people would come out to see him and he just did not have the ability to give them the show they expected.

So, when he announced his retirement, Enrique Vazquez, had really planned to retire and stay away from the game that surely only has one last thing to give him, a Hall of Fame induction. His wife, three kids and himself took the first plane back to the Greece to relax and were doing just that when the hotel concierge found Old Nick at the pool and told him he had an urgent phone call? Who could it be? What do they want? Even more, how on earth did whoever is on the other line know where I am currently? In a split second, each of those thoughts all went through Enrique’s mind, and he politely grabbed the phone and said, “Hello?”

Then he heard those words and knew instantly who it was, only one man in existence ever calls him this and maybe the only one that could get away with it or even think it’s funny.

“Santa Claus, how the heck are you? It was a pain in my ass to find you, thank goodness long distance calls are cheap now, or I might have to ask you for a loan,” said GM Gregory Abcarian.’

Enrique just shook his head and calmly responded, “Greg, I don’t know why you think I am Santa Claus, my nick name isn’t Old Saint Nick, but hello.”

Old Nick was thinking to himself what in hell is this mad man calling me on vacation after I just retired. Before he could say another word, his old GM started to rant on.

“First you will always be Santa to me. You came to WV and brought me a championship, so Santa Claus it is Old Saint Nick. Secondly, I don’t mean to bother you and I am, going to keep this short, but I have lost one of the greatest Managers ever to manage Joe Randall to retirement.  I am promoting a bunch of the managers for doing great jobs, but I think that you would be perfect to give back and teach the youth.  I need you to hang out in Aruba and manage. I mean Aruba, how can you say no to that place? But seriously, you were the first and only guy I thought of for this job, so let’s do it, don’t make me have to do work. “

Old Nick just giggled internally about the Santa Claus as he could not let Greg know it made him laugh, but then he took a second and truly was intrigued about the offer.  Greg minor league systems are usually decent so not too bad to manage and being only 36, a second career was probably needed just from a time standpoint.

“Let me call you in 10 days, I will truly think about it and talk to my wife and family.”

“You get 5 days, and I will find you if you try and hide.”

After talks with the family over the next 5 days all that was needed was phone call from GM Abcarian, and like clockwork that afternoon the concierge came again with the phone at the pool, but this time no surprise.

“Before you say a word, let me tell you this, you can call me Santa Claus whenever you want, except not when my kids are around, if you say ok, then we will be moving to Aruba and managing the Wahoo’s.”

“We just wanted to let you know that your car insurance warranty…  I am kidding.. I can agree to those terms.  This will be great for everyone. See you in June!!!”

After hearing the news, we reached out to Enrique’s previous GM’s, and this is what they had to say:

Patrick (Havana): “Cuba’s greatest failure since Marxism, and our second-best export behind sugar”

Frank Esselink (Amsterdam): “Old Nick was one of those rare highly paid FA’s that was worth every penny we gave him. He’s a class act who works hard and the fact that he’s willing to take a managerial job down at rookie ball shows that he wants to pass on his knowledge. We wish him all the best.”