Stay Positive: Vladimir Guerrero

The international signing period is underway. The Cubs inked a number of players to contracts, but another fact that got my attention is that the Mets signed Gregory Guerrero, who is Vladimir Guerrero's nephew. 

During his peak playing days, I coveted Vlad as a player, but I never could seem to draft him in my fantasy baseball league. He had a cannon for an arm. He'd hit like crazy and drive in rbi. And back in his younger days, he stole some bags. 

Let's take a look at his numbers. 

He played for 16 years ('96-'11). Here are his career numbers (thanks to Baseball Reference):

• 2,590 hits
• 477 doubles
• 449 home runs
• 1,496 rbi
• .318 batting average
• .379 OBP

When he was with the Expos and early on with the Angels, he raked. 

Check out these stat lines per year when he was at his peak:

• 1998: 108 runs, 38 home runs, 109 rbi, .324 ba,.371 obp
• 1999: 102 runs, 42 home runs, 131 rbi, .316 ba, .378 obp
• 2000: 101 runs, 44 home runs, 123 rbi, .345 ba, .410 obp
• 2001: 107 runs, 34 home runs, 108 rbi, .307 ba, .377 obp
• 2002: 106 runs, 39 home runs, 111 rbi, .336 ba, .417 obp
• 2003: 71 runs, 25 home runs, 79 rbi, .330 ba, .426 obp (112 games played and last year with the Expos)
• 2004: 124 runs, 39 home runs, 126 rbi, .337 ba, .391 obp
• 2005: 95 runs, 29 home runs, 108 rbi, .317 ba, .394 obp
• 2006: 92 runs, 34 home runs, 116 rbi, .329 ba, .382 obp
• 2007: 89 runs, 45 home runs, 125 rbi, .324 ba, .403 obp

Guerrero was one of the best players of his era, and I hope he gets into the Hall of Fame on his first ballot, which will be 2017. 

If you want to read more about this fine ball player, check out Jonah Keri's "Vladimir Had Hubris, And He Had Balls." 

While you'll have to put up with hearing crappy music, below is a highlight video for Vlad.