SAN FRANCISCO -- Omar Vizquel's career path has been more scenic than most. In a few days, it'll also be longer than any belonging to his counterparts.

Vizquel has played 2,581 games at shortstop entering the Giants' series opener against the Marlins in Florida on Friday. With three games, he'll eclipse Luis Aparicio's Major League record of 2,583. With the exception of Vizquel's native Venezuela -- where fans revere him -- the achievement likely will be received with relative nonchalance. Cal Ripken Jr. captivated the nation when he played consecutive game No. 2,131 to break Lou Gehrig's mark, but otherwise, records for career appearances just don't strike most observers as significant.

This one should.

"It's as great an accomplishment as I can think of for a position player, [given] how tough the position is to play and how well he has played it," Giants general manager Brian Sabean said. "If you've seen him recently or if you've seen him in other uniforms in years past, you know what a rare talent he is."

Every position has its unique demands, but as the infield's anchor, a shortstop handles more responsibility than most of his peers. Mentally, he must channel the game with every pitch.

"You're like a computer out there," said Chris Speier, a three-time All-Star shortstop with the Giants in the 1970s.

Physically, a shortstop must possess agility, quickness, manual dexterity, resilient legs and a throwing arm that had better be accurate and strong.

"The amount of plays that you're called upon to make on a given day or in the season -- the higher the level you play at, the more it's expected," Sabean said. "When the ball is hit in that direction, you literally think that every play is going to be made. That's how the great ones spoil you."

By any measure, Vizquel is indeed a great one. His 11 Gold Glove Awards, second among shortstops only to Ozzie Smith's 13, say so. That's garnished by his other credentials, including his .984 fielding percentage that leads all shortstops to have played at least 1,000 games, and his collaboration on a Major League-record 1,659 double plays

Vizquel's peers, who marvel at his ability to make difficult plays look routine and routine plays look elegant, testify to his excellence.

"He makes playing shortstop an art form," Giants right fielder Randy Winn said.

"You know somebody's great at what they do when they make the hard things look easy," Giants infielder Rich Aurilia said.

Vizquel cherishes being poised to become the man to have met the requirements of his position more than anybody.

"It means a lot," Vizquel said recently. "I always admired the players who played the game for a long time. It's the result of being consistent. I've earned the spot every year to stay on a big league team. At 41, it's not easy to be playing on a Major League team, especially at a position that's as demanding at shortstop. I've taken pride in the hard work and the way I've kept myself fit for the challenge to play that position."

It's a spot so challenging that only four shortstops aside from Vizquel have played in 20 Major League seasons: Luke Appling, Bill Dahlen, Alan Trammell and Bobby Wallace. Vizquel's also the only Venezuelan to compile 20 seasons, topping Andres Galarraga and fellow shortstop Dave Concepcion, who had 19 apiece.

Earlier this season, the Giants wondered whether Vizquel was fit enough to handle the rigors of a long campaign. He missed virtually all of Spring Training after undergoing arthroscopic left knee surgery on Feb. 27, then sustained a bone bruise that delayed his recovery.

But Vizquel has thrived in 11 games since his May 10 return, playing error-free baseball and batting .306 -- which has hiked his career hits total to 2,609 through Thursday, more than any active player.

"A lot of people talk about Vizquel's glove and forget about his bat," Chicago White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen said. "He's a better-hitting shortstop than a lot of guys in the Hall of Fame."

Although Vizquel likely will receive strong consideration for enshrinement in Cooperstown, he insisted that he's not dwelling on it.

"Only when you [reporters] mention it," Vizquel said. "I really don't care much about it right now, because I'm still playing and I think I'm focusing more on the job I have to do on the field instead of the future or six years down the road. It's completely out of my hands. I just need to play and put up some more numbers."

His 2,584th game will be a good number to start with.