sDUNEDIN, FLA.—It takes one to know one.

Blue Jays left-handed relief pitcher Darren Oliver would undoubtedly be the senior citizen in most major league clubhouses. But this spring training, with Omar Vizquel on board with a minor-league contract, Oliver is outranked by three years.

The 41-year-old Oliver is most certainly a fan of the 44-year-old shortstop and what he brings to the game.

“I used to watch him take ground balls before a game, it was the stuff he does . . . he’s just good,” Oliver said.

The two veterans never played on the same team despite both having stints with the Texas Rangers — Oliver three different times. But he missed being Vizquel’s teammate by two years.

Combined, the two have played for 14 major-league teams and have a combined 43 years of experience in the big leagues.

Vizquel took to the field for the first time this spring on Thursday. He’s on a $700,000 (U.S.) minor-league deal, and if he makes the team as a utility player it will be his 24th major league season.

The owner of the highest career fielding percentage for shortstops (.985), nine consecutive Gold Gloves, Vizquel has accomplished plenty since breaking into the majors with Seattle in 1989.

“My motivation is to challenge myself to play another year,” Vizquel said.

“Every year it starts to get a little harder, it’s always a challenge to be on a major league team at an older age. I feel more pride of the things I have accomplished in my career.”

Oliver remains a daunting figure at 6-foot-3 and 200 pounds, and his left arm still looks just as powerful as ever. As long as that’s the case, the motivation to play comes naturally.

“There’s always the day that’s going to come when I throw and it won’t come out hot, it’ll be down to 80 miles per hour or something,” Oliver said. “But that hasn’t happened yet. I can still compete and there’s a chance to win here. I know the day will come when I can look back and be happy with the career I’ve had. But I can still pitch and this team can win. What more do you need?”

Oliver said he has always heard other players talk glowingly of Vizquel.

“No one ever said a bad thing about him, ever,” Oliver said.

Vizquel has never balked at his unofficial role of mentoring younger players.

Such was the case with Elvis Andrus in Texas and former Jay John McDonald in Cleveland. Vizquel also formed Cleveland’s potent double-play combination with Robbie Alomar, and called the Hall of Famer and ex-Jay “the greatest second baseman I’ve ever seen.”

Vizquel’s locker in the Dunedin clubhouse is strategically located next door to Adeiny Hechevarria, the organization’s top midfield prospect, and is also near current shortstop Yunel Escobar.

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“I know him a little bit,” Vizquel said of Hechevarria. “We talk a little bit about defence. From what I hear from all the guys, he’s a goofy guy a little bit — he loses his head on the field sometimes. So I think it’s our job — not only mine but the infield instructor and teammates — to keep him in the game and keep him focused.

“I was just walking in looking for my locker and it just happened to be right next to a top prospect in the organization,” Vizquel said, smiling. “I think it’s going to be exciting to work with a guy that doesn’t know the (English) language yet. He has a barrier there with the language and I’m going to have his back all the time, trying to guide him.”