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Photo of the Day Photo of the Day All-Stars: Vladimir Guerrero
While the Jays are off for a handful of days for the 'break' part of the All-Star Break, Photo of the Day is pleased to present a few non-Jay All-Star notables, beginning with Vladimir Guerrero:




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Aaron Reynolds uses Pentax cameras and lenses.
Posted by Named For Hank on Wednesday, July 12 2006 @ 12:00 AM EDT.
Photo of the Day All-Stars: Vladimir Guerrero | 7 comments | Create New Account
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slitheringslider - Wednesday, July 12 2006 @ 05:15 AM EDT (#150561) #
It will forever remain a mystery to me how Vlad squared up a 98mph fastball that's shoulder height and off the plate and hit it out of the ballpark to right field. I have never seen anyone done that before and I don't think anyone else in baseball can do it. On pure talent alone, I feel like Vlad is head and shoulders above everyone else in baseball. The things he can do is just ridiculous.
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Mike Green - Wednesday, July 12 2006 @ 10:28 AM EDT (#150565) #
I have not considered Vladimir Guerrero yet in the Hall Watch series, but it really should not be too difficult. 
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Joanna - Wednesday, July 12 2006 @ 05:00 PM EDT (#150588) #

This guy is really something else.  When he moves, it's like he has extra joints.  He apporaches hitting like it's his obligation to hit anything hard that's pitched in his general direction.  But he's so quiet and a bit mysterious.  That homerun pitch was the same high fastbal that Jeter struck out on.  Vlad, like any great hitter, totally cased Penny's stuff and just went up and got it.  That's why pitchers need more than hard heat, because good hitters will just dial in and launch those baseballs.

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Jdog - Wednesday, July 12 2006 @ 05:10 PM EDT (#150589) #

Sorry I know this isn't the place for this post...but i cant really see a better spot for it.

As a 26 year old baseball fanatic I am finally getting to go and see a Major league game this July 24 in Seattle when the Jays are visiting. I am making the trip from Lethbridge Alberta. I know some of you here are from out west and go to the games in seattle when the Jays visit....give me some advice...whats best to do for parking. I'm poor so whats the chances of buying a cheaper ticket and getting into a better seat, or do i need to fork over the 110 dollars for my two seats to have a decent experience? Any other info would be appreciated,....thanks.

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Mick Doherty - Wednesday, July 12 2006 @ 05:20 PM EDT (#150590) #
Maybe, maybe not Mike. Sure, his top two age-based comps are Mays and Snider (Willie, Vladdy and the Duke?) but his two most similar overall are Wally Berger and Kenny Williams. The only current Hall of Famers on his Top 10 are Chick Hafey and Hack Wilson.

Obviously, Guerrero is likely to make the Hall, at least I think so, but five years ago I could not have accepted the concept that Juan Gonzalez wouldn't make it to Cooperstown, and that seems slam-dunk unlikely 'bout now.

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Mike Green - Wednesday, July 12 2006 @ 05:41 PM EDT (#150591) #
It's a bit of strange thing, Mick.  That list compares the complete careers of Kenny Williams and Wally Berger with Guerrero's career to age 30, and places emphasis on counting stats.

It's true that he could pull a Juan Gonzalez, but it's very unlikely.  Guerrero always was a better hitter (walked more, struck out less and almost as much power when you take into account the park he plays in), and he doesn't have Juan Gone's other issues. We tend to get 3 comments when Bauxites think it's a no-doubter like Frank Thomas, and 43 when there's a controversy like with Fred McGriff.  I say that we'll get 3 for Vlad, but there's only one way to find out.
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Bruce Wrigley - Wednesday, July 12 2006 @ 06:11 PM EDT (#150593) #

I'm hardly a neutral voice here since Vladimir Guerrero's one of my favorite players ever, but I think he's clearly established Hall of Fame credentials to date.  If his career ended tomorrow he might have difficulty making it (except that if his career ended tomorrow there would be such an outpouring of sympathy for him that he would surely go in first ballot, a la Kirby Puckett).  However, even if he tails off rather quickly -- an event that I have trouble seeing happening, despite a recurring low-level back problem -- he should amass enough of a statistical book to keep him in the hall debates while his legend grows.

The thing with Vladdy is, he's not the kind of player you'd classify as forgettable in any sense of that word.  His legend will grow with time as his feats are embroidered by those of us who saw him play.  There are outfielders that are more aesthetically pleasing, but there is no outfielder in my memory more fun to watch.  You WANT the ball to be hit at him.  Similarly, he's not the best hitter in baseball, nor is he the most intellectually satisfying.  But the most entertaining?  I have trouble thinking of someone who adds more excitement with his four trips a game.

Also, don't be so sure that JuanGone won't make it.  There is no doubt in my mind that as time goes on and the stats become more important, say 25 years from now, he will be a popular candidate with the Vets Committee.

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Photo of the Day All-Stars: Vladimir Guerrero | 7 comments | Create New Account
The following comments are owned by whomever posted them. This site is not responsible for what they say.