Full Name : Vladimir Alvino Guerrero
Born : February 9, 1976
Hometown : Don Gregorio, Nizao, Dominican Republic
Height : 6' 3
Weight : 235 lbs
Bats : Right
Throws : Right
Major League Baseball debut : September 19, 1996 for the Montreal Expos
Primary Position : RF (Right Fielder)
Pitchers today are constantly researching hitters to find out the best way to prevent them from succeeding. When Vladimir Guerrero steps up to the plate, this approach is usually not that effective. Born on Febraury 9, 1976, "Vlad" has been one of the few dominating athletes to come from the Dominican Republic. Unquestionably, Vlad has demonstrated a range of skills that qualify him as one of baseball's best five-tool athletes.
After being signed by the Montreal Expos in 1993, Vlad had every reason to look forward to his career as a professional athlete. He eventually debuted in September of the 1996 season, but it was until the next season that he would make his presence known around the baseball world.
Though only seeing limited playing time in 1997, Expos fans soon learned what Vlad was all about. Aside from his unmatched power at the plate, Guerrero exemplified a range of defensive skills, including what many referred to as a canon of an arm. In just 325 at-bats, Vlad batted .302 and showed that he was very patient at the plate by striking out only 39 times.
In 1998, which was his first full season, he sent a message to fans that he had a desire to perform. Posting a whopping .316 batting average, belting 38 homers, and driving in 109 RBI's, it was clear that Vlad had emerged as an MVP candidate. From 1999-2002, Vlad put up phenomenal numbers, driving in at least 100 RBI's in each of those 4 seasons in addition to knocking out at least 30 homers. His defense did not go unnoticed either, as he soon became recognized as having one of the best outfield arms in all of baseball. Expos fans grew very appreciative of the effort that their emerging superstar put in, day in and day out.
An unfortunate unfolding of events caused Vlad to spend a portion of his time in 2003 on the disabled list. A chronic back injury prevented him from performing, and the Expos front office grew very uncertain as to whether or not Vlad would return to his original form. After the 2003 season, Guerrero became a free agent, and Montreal concluded that he was not worth the gamble. The Anaheim Angels took a shot at him, and in 2004 they welcomed a healthy Guerrero to their organization.
To say that Vlad was phenomenal in 2004 would be an understatement. That season, he pounded 39 home runs and drove in 126 RBI's, playing a significant role in leading the Angels to their first division title since 1986. In the last six games of that season, Vlad blasted 6 home runs, demonstrating that he was capable of coming through in clutch situations. His accomplishments during this exceptional season earned him his first American League Most Valuable Player award, and it was evident that he was one of the top all-around athletes of his era.
What's unique about Vlad is his classic approach. He refuses to wear batting gloves, and he even coats his helmet with pine tar so that he can get a firm grip on his bat before swinging. Fans have dropped their jaws after watching Vlad belt homers on some of the most unhittable pitches. During one at-bat in his career, Guerrero managed to get a base-hit on a ball that bounced in the dirt before even reaching the plate. No doubt a phenomenal athlete, it wouldn't be surprising to see this man get selected to the baseball Hall of Fame. As far as his future is concerned, Angels fans are definitely in for a treat, as there is no doubt that he will continue to be successful in the years to come.
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