History of Vladimir Guerrero in Timeline

Vladimir Guerrero, nicknamed "Vlad the Impaler", is a Dominican former professional baseball player. He played 16 seasons in MLB as a right fielder and designated hitter for the Montreal Expos (1996–2003), Anaheim Angels/Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (2004–2009), Texas Rangers (2010), and Baltimore Orioles (2011).

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles

February 9, 1975: Vladimir Guerrero's Birth

Vladimir Guerrero was born on February 9, 1975, in the Dominican Republic. He would become a professional baseball player.

Others born on this day/year

1975: Confirmed Birth Year

Vladimir Guerrero was born in 1975, confirming his actual birth year.

Others born on this day/year

February 9, 1976: Lied about his age when signed

When signed in 1993, Vladimir Guerrero lied about his age, claiming to be born February 9, 1976.

1979: Hurricane David

In 1979, Hurricane David ravaged the Dominican Republic, impacting Vladimir Guerrero's family as his mother had to find work elsewhere.

1984: Reggie Jackson - Angel Outfielder All-Star Starter

In July of 2004, when Guerrero made his fifth MLB All-Star game appearance, he led AL outfielders with 3,024,870 votes and was the first Angel outfielder to be a starter since Reggie Jackson in 1984.

1986: First Western Division Title since 1986

In 2004, Vladimir Guerrero led the Angels to their first Western Division title since 1986.

1986: Wally Joyner won Home Run Derby

In the 2007 season, Guerrero became the third Angel to win the Home Run Derby (after Wally Joyner in 1986).

March 1, 1993: Signed with Montreal Expos

On March 1, 1993, Vladimir Guerrero was signed by the Montreal Expos as an unsigned amateur free agent.

1993: Signed by Montreal Expos

In 1993, Vladimir Guerrero was signed by the Montreal Expos after scout Arturo DeFreites convinced the team.

September 19, 1996: MLB Debut

On September 19, 1996, Vladimir Guerrero made his MLB debut, going 1-for-5 at the plate, with his first big league hit coming against Atlanta Braves pitcher Steve Avery.

September 21, 1996: First Career Home Run

On September 21, 1996, Vladimir Guerrero hit his first career home run against Braves closer Mark Wohlers, in a 5–4 loss. That contest is also significant, in that it marks Guerrero's first multi-hit game.

1996: Joined Montreal Expos

In 1996, Vladimir Guerrero began his MLB career with the Montreal Expos, marking the start of his professional baseball journey.

1996: Played Nine Games

In 1996, Vladimir Guerrero played only nine games in the MLB.

1997: Led outfielders in errors

In 1997, Vladimir Guerrero led all big league outfielders in errors with 12, marking a defensive challenge in his early career.

1997: First Full Season

In 1997, Vladimir Guerrero played his first full season and was criticized for being too aggressive at the plate, but still put up solid numbers.

1998: Admiration for free-swinging ways

In 1998, Guerrero's free-swinging style changed from scorn to admiration, as he continued to hit pitches with authority, even those that were clearly balls.

1998: Agreed to $28 million deal

In 1998, Vladimir Guerrero batted .324, with 38 home runs, and 109 RBI, and agreed to a $28 million deal.

1998: Led outfielders in errors

In 1998, Vladimir Guerrero led all big league outfielders in errors with 17, continuing a defensive challenge in his career.

1998: Montreal Expos Player of the Year

In 1998, Vladimir Guerrero won the Montreal Expos Player of the Year award.

1999: Led outfielders in errors

In 1999, Vladimir Guerrero led all big league outfielders in errors with 19, marking a continuing defensive challenge in his career.

1999: All-Star Game and Hitting Streak

In 1999, Vladimir Guerrero represented the Expos at the All-Star Game and maintained a 31-game hitting streak, the longest in the majors in 12 years.

1999: Montreal Expos Player of the Year

In 1999, Vladimir Guerrero won the Montreal Expos Player of the Year award.

2000: Career High in Home Runs

In 2000, Vladimir Guerrero hit a career-high 44 home runs.

2000: Led outfielders in errors

In 2000, Vladimir Guerrero led all big league outfielders in errors (tied with 10), continuing a defensive challenge in his career.

2000: Montreal Expos Player of the Year

In 2000, Vladimir Guerrero won the Montreal Expos Player of the Year award.

July 7, 2001: Incredible Throw

On July 7, 2001, Vladimir Guerrero made one of the best throws in MLB history, throwing out Alberto Castillo at home plate from deep right field.

2001: Stole 37 bases

In 2001, Vladimir Guerrero developed a running game, stealing 37 bases.

2001: Led outfielders in errors

In 2001, Vladimir Guerrero led all big league outfielders in errors (tied with 12), continuing a defensive challenge in his career.

2002: Led NL outfielders in errors

In 2002, Vladimir Guerrero led all National League outfielders in errors with 10, highlighting a defensive area for improvement.

2002: Statistical Achievements

In 2002, Vladimir Guerrero led the National League with 206 base hits and 364 total bases, stole a career-high 40 bases, and became the first player in major league history to hit 30 home runs, steal 40 bases, and hit above .330 in one season.

2002: Montreal Expos Player of the Year

In 2002, Vladimir Guerrero won the Montreal Expos Player of the Year award.

2002: The Angels won the 2002 World Series

In 2004, Mike Scioscia said that Guerrero "really carried us on his back", as the Angels won the 2002 World Series as the American League Wild Card.

2002: Similar Performance

Through the 2002 season, Vladimir Guerrero posted similar or slightly improved numbers.

September 14, 2003: Hit for the Cycle

On September 14, 2003, Vladimir Guerrero, despite playing injured, hit for the cycle, marking a significant achievement.

2003: Free Agency

After the 2003 season, Vladimir Guerrero became a free agent for the first time.

2003: End of Guerrero's time with Montreal Expos

In 2003, Vladimir Guerrero concluded his tenure with the Montreal Expos after playing for the team since 1996.

2003: Garret Anderson won Home Run Derby

In the 2007 season, Guerrero became the third Angel to win the Home Run Derby (after Garret Anderson in 2003).

January 14, 2004: Signed with Anaheim Angels

On January 14, 2004, Vladimir Guerrero signed a five-year, $70 million deal with the Anaheim Angels.

2004: Joined Anaheim Angels

In 2004, Vladimir Guerrero joined the Anaheim Angels, marking a new chapter in his MLB career.

2004: AL MVP Award and Western Division Title

In 2004, Vladimir Guerrero led the Angels to their first Western Division title since 1986 and was chosen as the AL MVP.

2004: AL MVP Award

In 2004, Vladimir Guerrero was voted the American League (AL) Most Valuable Player (MVP).

2004: Expos Relocation

The 2004 season marked the relocation of the Expos to Washington, after Guerrero hit for the cycle on September 14, 2003, before the relocation.

2004: Selected for All-Star Game

Vladimir Guerrero was chosen for the All-Star Game in each of his first four seasons with the Angels (2004–2007).

2005: Postseason and Pepsi Ad

In 2005, Vladimir Guerrero played in the postseason and appeared in a national TV ad for Pepsi with Alex Rodriguez. The Pepsi ad featured Guerrero and Rodriguez engaging in a personal home run competition that ended up with the moon being broken.

2005: Western Division Title and 300th Home Run

In 2005, the Angels won the Western Division again, and Vladimir Guerrero became the 12th player to hit his 300th home run before the age of 30.

July 15, 2006: 1,000th Career RBI

On July 15, 2006, Vladimir Guerrero recorded his 1,000th career RBI at home against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, marking a significant milestone.

August 2006: Hitting streak ends

In August 2006, Guerrero's 44-game hitting streak against the Texas Rangers came to an end in a game in which he was intentionally walked three times, walked four times overall, and finished 0-for-1.

2006: Led AL outfielders in errors

In 2006, Vladimir Guerrero led all American League outfielders in errors with 11, indicating a persistent defensive challenge.

2007: Led AL outfielders in errors

In 2007, Vladimir Guerrero led all American League outfielders in errors with nine, continuing a trend of defensive challenges.

2007: Home Run Derby Win

In the 2007 season, Vladimir Guerrero made his 8th Major League Baseball All-Star Game appearance and won his first career Home Run Derby, marking a significant achievement.

2008: Voted one of the most feared hitters in baseball

In a 2008 poll of all 30 major league managers, Vladimir Guerrero was voted one of the most feared hitters in baseball.

March 2009: Revealed Actual Birth Year

In March 2009, Vladimir Guerrero inadvertently revealed to Major League Baseball that he was born in 1975, clarifying his actual age.

August 14, 2009: Hit a pitch after it bounced

On August 14, 2009, Vladimir Guerrero demonstrated his exceptional "bad-ball hitter" skill by hitting a pitch after it bounced in front of home plate.

2009: Five AL West Championships

Between 2004 and 2009, Vladimir Guerrero helped lead the Angels to five AL West championships.

2009: End of Guerrero's time with Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

In 2009, Vladimir Guerrero ended his time with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim after having joined the Anaheim Angels in 2004.

2009: First Time Below .300 Batting Average

In 2009, Vladimir Guerrero had a batting average below .300 (.295), an OPS below .800 (.794), or a doubles total less than 20 (16) for the first time.

2009: Ranked Among Greatest Current Players

In 2009, Vladimir Guerrero was named number 37 on the Sporting News' list of the 50 greatest current players in baseball.

2009: Designated Hitter Reassignment

In 2009, Vladimir Guerrero's fielding talent dwindled, leading to his reassignment as a designated hitter at the start of the season.

January 11, 2010: Signed with Texas Rangers

On January 11, 2010, Vladimir Guerrero signed a one-year, $5.5 million deal with incentives and a 2011 option with the Texas Rangers.

April 5, 2010: Breaks up no-hitter

On April 5, 2010, Vladimir Guerrero broke up a no-hitter by Shaun Marcum in the seventh inning of the Opening Day game against the Toronto Blue Jays.

May 6, 2010: Two Home Runs vs Royals

On May 6, 2010, Guerrero hit two home runs versus the Kansas City Royals to secure a 13–12 win.

May 13, 2010: Walk-off line drive

On May 13, 2010, Guerrero's walk off line drive to left field won the final game of a three-game series against the Oakland Athletics in the bottom of the 12th inning.

May 25, 2010: Two More Home Runs vs Royals

On May 25, 2010, Vladimir Guerrero hit two more home runs to secure another win over the Kansas City Royals.

June 30, 2010: Two Home Runs vs Angels

On June 30, 2010, Vladimir Guerrero hit two home runs and went 4-for-4 with 5 RBIs against his former team, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.

October 22, 2010: Captures first American League pennant

On October 22, 2010, Guerrero drove in 3 runs during game 6 of the American League Championship Series against the New York Yankees, capturing the first American League pennant for the Texas Rangers.

2010: Joined Texas Rangers

In 2010, Vladimir Guerrero joined the Texas Rangers for one season, adding another team to his MLB career.

February 18, 2011: Signed with Baltimore Orioles

On February 18, 2011, Guerrero signed a one-year, $8 million contract with the Baltimore Orioles.

September 26, 2011: All-time MLB leader for hits by a Dominican player

On September 26, 2011, Vladimir Guerrero surpassed Julio Franco as the all-time MLB leader for hits by a Dominican player.

2011: Joined Baltimore Orioles

In 2011, Vladimir Guerrero played his final MLB season with the Baltimore Orioles.

2011: Deal with incentives and a 2011 option

On January 11, 2010, Guerrero signed a deal with the Texas Rangers that included a 2011 option.

May 10, 2012: Signed minor league contract with Toronto Blue Jays

On May 10, 2012, Guerrero signed a minor league contract with the Toronto Blue Jays.

May 27, 2012: Home Run in first game for Dunedin Blue Jays

On May 27, 2012, during his first game for the Class-A Dunedin Blue Jays, Guerrero hit a home run.

June 12, 2012: Granted Release from Las Vegas 51s

On June 12, 2012, after playing in 8 games for the Triple-A Las Vegas 51s, Guerrero asked for, and was granted, his release.

November 4, 2012: Returns to Liga de Béisbol Profesional de la República Dominicana

On November 4, 2012, Guerrero came back to the Liga de Béisbol Profesional de la República Dominicana with Tigres del Licey.

November 20, 2012: Quits Tigres del Licey

On November 20, 2012, Guerrero quit the Tigres del Licey team after being informed that he would only be used as a pinch hitter.

April 4, 2013: Signed with Long Island Ducks

On April 4, 2013, Guerrero signed with the Long Island Ducks of the Atlantic League, but did not join the team due to family issues.

March 31, 2014: Signed one-day contract and retired

On March 31, 2014, Guerrero signed a one-day contract with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and officially retired from professional baseball.

2014: Record broken by Adrián Beltré

In 2014, Adrián Beltré surpassed Vladimir Guerrero's record for all-time MLB leader for hits by a Dominican player.

2018: Inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame

In 2018, Vladimir Guerrero was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame, solidifying his legacy in baseball.

2021: Father-son duo with 40-home run seasons

In 2021, Vladimir Guerrero and his son Vladimir Jr. became the second father-son duo in MLB history to each have a 40-home run season in their careers.