Top 5 Vladimir Guerrero highlights
If you were to ask a group of baseball fans who the most uniquely talented, overtly awesome player of the last half-century is, the vast majority would respond with just one syllable:
"Vlad."
Referred to almost universally by that affectionate diminutive, Vladimir Guerrero's illustrious career in the major leagues spanned the better part of two decades, throughout which he earned widespread adoration for his ungodly abilities and infectious smile. Though he seldom spoke with the media and never attempted to assimilate following his emigration from the Dominican Republic, Guerrero's performance on the field, more often than not, required no comment or explanation.
Guerrero, who retired after the 2011 campaign wielding a resume highlighted by nine All-Star appearances and the 2004 AL MVP award, turns 40 years old Monday.
In honor of the milestone, let's take a look at some of the top moments from Guerrero's magical career:
Guerrero's preternatural talents were manifest as soon as he arrived in the majors as a September call-up in September of 1996. His first career home run was decidedly characteristic, as he ripped a well-located, back-door sinker from All-Star closer Mark Wohlers off the foul pole in right field - a seemingly impossible task for most hitters.
His abilities weren't limited to the offensive side of the game, though, as his plus-plus arm strength routinely gave baserunners pause about taking an extra 90 feet. Alberto Castillo, then of the Toronto Blue Jays, learned the hard way not to trifle with Vlad's arm back in July of 2001.
Still, Guerrero's at-bats made for great theater, like when he became the sixth player in Montreal Expos history to hit for the cycle back in 2003, his final season with the club.
There's no highlight, though, that better distills Guerrero's uncanny knack for making contact than this clip from 2009, in which Guerrero singles to left-centre on a breaking ball from Chris Tillman that actually bounces on its way to the plate.
Blessed with largely unparalleled hitting ability, Guerrero compiled a .318 batting average over parts of 16 seasons in the majors, eventually collecting more hits than any other player to hail from the Dominican Republic.
(Courtesy: MLB.com)