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/Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (2004–2009), Texas Rangers (2010), and Baltimore Orioles (2011). Known for his exceptional talent, free-swinging approach, and powerful arm, Guerrero was a nine-time All-Star, won the American League MVP award in 2004, and received eight Silver Slugger Awards. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2018.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles

February 9, 1975: Vladimir Guerrero's Birth

On February 9, 1975, Vladimir Guerrero Alvino was born. He is a Dominican former professional baseball player.

Others born on this day/year

1975: Revelation of True Birth Year

In March 2009, Vladimir Guerrero inadvertently revealed to Major League Baseball that he was born in 1975, as he had previously claimed to be born February 9, 1976.

1984: Reggie Jackson Last Outfielder Starter

In July 2004, Vladimir Guerrero made his fifth MLB All-Star game appearance. The last Angel outfielder to be a starter was 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 the Derby

Making his 8th Major League Baseball All-Star Game appearance, Guerrero subsequently won his first career Home Run Derby in the 2007 season, highlighted by a 503-foot (153 m) home run. He is the third Angel to win the Derby (after Wally Joyner in 1986).

March 1, 1993: Signed by the Montreal Expos

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

1993: Signing with the Montreal Expos

In 1993, Vladimir Guerrero was signed by the Montreal Expos for $2,100 after scout Arturo DeFreites convinced them of his talent.

September 19, 1996: MLB Debut

On September 19, 1996, Vladimir Guerrero made his Major League Baseball debut with the Montreal Expos, going 1-for-5 at the plate against the Atlanta Braves.

September 21, 1996: First Career Home Run

On September 21, 1996, Vladimir Guerrero hit his first career home run off Mark Wohlers of the Atlanta Braves, also marking his first multi-hit game.

1997: First Full Season

During his first full season in 1997, Vladimir Guerrero was criticized for being too aggressive at the plate but still managed to bat .302 with 11 home runs and 40 RBIs.

1997: Led League in Errors

In 1997, Vladimir Guerrero led all big league outfielders in errors, with a total of 12, which was tied with another player.

1998: Strong Performance and New Deal

In 1998, Vladimir Guerrero batted .324 with 38 home runs and 109 RBIs, leading to a $28 million deal before the end of the season.

1998: Led League in Errors

In 1998, Vladimir Guerrero led all big league outfielders in errors, with a total of 17.

1998: Montreal Expos Player of the Year

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

1998: Changed Perceptions

In 1998, admiration began to replace scorn for Vladimir Guerrero's free-swinging style, as he continued to hit pitches with authority, even those that bounced before reaching home plate.

1999: Led League in Errors

In 1999, Vladimir Guerrero led all big league outfielders in errors, with a total of 19.

1999: All-Star and Hitting Streak

In 1999, Vladimir Guerrero represented the Expos at the All-Star Game and maintained a 31-game hitting streak, finishing the season with 131 RBIs.

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 League in Errors

In 2000, Vladimir Guerrero led all big league outfielders in errors, with a total of 10, which was tied with another player.

2000: Montreal Expos Player of the Year

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

July 7, 2001: Remarkable Throw

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

2001: Stolen Bases Record

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

2001: Led League in Errors

In 2001, Vladimir Guerrero led all big league outfielders in errors, with a total of 12, which was tied with another player.

2002: Led League in Errors

In 2002, Vladimir Guerrero led all National League outfielders in errors, with a total of 10.

2002: Continued Strong Performance

In 2002, Vladimir Guerrero posted similar or slightly improved numbers to previous years. He also hit 34 home runs, joining the 30–30 club for the first time and leading the major leagues in power-speed number (35.4).

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" in the last month of the season, as the Angels overtook first place and won the 2002 World Series as the American League Wild Card.

September 14, 2003: Hitting for the Cycle

On September 14, 2003, Vladimir Guerrero hit for the cycle, despite a back injury shortening his season. He was the final Expo to achieve this before their relocation to Washington.

2003: Garret Anderson won the Derby

January 14, 2004: Signing with the Anaheim Angels

On January 14, 2004, Vladimir Guerrero signed a five-year, $70 million deal with the Anaheim Angels, influenced by the team's owner, Arte Moreno.

2004: Team Relocation

After the 2004 season, the Montreal Expos relocated to Washington.

2004: Leading the Angels and Winning MVP

During the 2004 MLB season, Vladimir Guerrero led the Angels to their first Western Division title since 1986 and was chosen as the second Angel to win the AL MVP, earning 354 points.

2004: Selected for All-Star Game

In the 2007 season, Vladimir Guerrero made his 8th Major League Baseball All-Star Game appearance and was selected for the All-Star Game in each of his first four seasons with the Angels (2004-2007).

2005: Postseason Performance and Appearances

In 2005, Vladimir Guerrero had a mixed postseason, performing well in the ALDS but poorly in the ALCS. He also appeared in a national TV ad for Pepsi with Alex Rodriguez and at Game Four of the World Series as a member of Major League Baseball's Latino Legends Team.

2005: Western Division Win and Milestone Home Run

In 2005, the Angels won the Western Division again, and Vladimir Guerrero hit his 300th home run before the age of 30, joining a select group of players.

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.

August 2006: Hitting Streak Ends

In August 2006, Vladimir 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 League in Errors

In 2006, Vladimir Guerrero led all American League outfielders in errors, with a total of 11.

2006: World Baseball Classic Withdrawal

In 2006, Vladimir Guerrero was named to the Dominican Republic's roster for the World Baseball Classic, but he eventually withdrew due to the death of three cousins in a car accident immediately before the tournament.

2007: Led League in Errors

In 2007, Vladimir Guerrero led all American League outfielders in errors, with a total of nine.

2007: Home Run Derby Win and All-Star Selection

In the 2007 season, Vladimir Guerrero made his 8th Major League Baseball All-Star Game appearance and won his first career Home Run Derby. He was selected for the All-Star Game in each of his first four seasons with the Angels (2004–2007).

2009: Decline in Performance

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

2009: Ranked Among Greatest Players

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

2009: Reassignment as Designated Hitter

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

January 11, 2010: Signing with the 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: Broke 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, Vladimir Guerrero hit two home runs versus the Kansas City Royals, securing a 13–12 win for his team.

May 13, 2010: Walk-off Hit

On May 13, 2010, Vladimir 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 and 5 RBIs vs Angels

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

October 22, 2010: American League Pennant

On October 22, 2010, Vladimir 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.

February 18, 2011: Signed with the Orioles

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

May 10, 2012: Signed Minor League Contract

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

May 27, 2012: Home Run in First Game

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

June 12, 2012: Granted Release

On June 12, 2012, Vladimir Guerrero asked for, and was granted, his release from the Triple-A Las Vegas 51s.

November 4, 2012: Returned to Dominican League

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

November 20, 2012: Quit Tigres del Licey

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

April 4, 2013: Signed with Long Island Ducks

On April 4, 2013, Vladimir Guerrero signed with the Long Island Ducks of the Atlantic League but never appeared with the team in the 2013 season.

March 31, 2014: Retired from Baseball

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