The Angels' Star Right Fielder Vladimir Guerrero is Headed to Cooperstown

Vladimir Guerrero, the Anaheim Angels' right fielder, is a mortal lock for the Hall of Fame when he is done with baseball. If he got hit by a bus tomorrow, Vladimir Guerrero would be in, never mind with the numbers that he will be putting up over the next few seasons. A native of the Dominican Republic, Vladimir Guerrero has more than given back to the community, as his various business interests on the island nation provide much needed jobs for the folks there. But what baseball fans will remember about Vladimir Guerrero long after he leaves the field for the final time will be his uncanny ability to hit the ball, no matter where it is pitched.

Born in the south coastal town of Nizao Bani on February 9th, 1976, Vladimir Guerrero was one of nine children growing up in his family. His mom ran a food stand; his dad drove a shuttle bus. Vladimir Guerrero worked on the family's small farm, and he attributes his strong hands to wrestling with obstinate bulls to get them into their pens. His older brothers Elisier and Wilton were scouted by the Dodgers and eventually wound up in their system, but Los Angeles made the mistake of passing on Vladimir, who was then signed by the Montreal Expos as an amateur free agent in 1993. Guerrero stayed in the Dominican with the Expos' squad in the island's league, and though raw, Vladimir hit over .300 in 105 at bats. The idea to use his explosively powerful throwing arm was aborted when he was just too wild on the mound. Vladimir Guerrero dominated at the plate in the Dominican League in 1994, hitting 12 homers in 25 games, and the Expos quickly moved him up to the Gulf League, where he batted .314 in 37 tilts.