Vladimir Guerrero: Hall of Famer?

[The Brain]

I knew without looking at the numbers that Vladimir Guerrero was a dominant player. I also knew that Guerrero played his final game at a relatively young age of 36 so I wasn’t sure if his final numbers would give a true representation of his dominance. I was pleased to see his numbers do him justice but it’s kind of a shame as I think he had one or two good years left in him. Vlad should probably be in the middle of his final season right now which would put him right on the cusp of some milestones.

Vlad was dominant and has some big numbers, but does he belong among the elite players in Cooperstown? A .318 career average along with 449 home runs, 1496 RBI, 2590 hits, and a .553 slugging percentage are all very impressive numbers. He was also a nine time all star and finished in the top ten in MVP voting six times, winning the award in 2004. Personally I think Vlad is a hall of famer (possibly the last to go in as an Expo) but I see him as a borderline candidate. What do you think? Yay or nay for Vlad?

 

[Richard Blonoff]

I think Vlad goes in. You look at his .318 average and that is fairly impressive in its own, but remember he swung at everything. Hell he once hit a ball that bounced before it go to home plate. He has rightfully been called the best bad ball hitter to ever play game, and the fact that despite that he still had that average is impressive.

Before injuries and age slowed him down he was also a competent defender and arguably had the strongest arm of any right fielder in his day. Those injuries, salary inflation, and a below average season due to be on a poor Orioles team are what likely cost him another two or three decent seasons. I think he will get in after three or four years of being on the ballot and it really is a shame he didn't get those last few years as I think he had a great shot at 500 home runs and possibly 3000 hits.

 

[Megatron]

Unlike the last two guys I commented on (Delgado and Helton) I'm actually leaning in favor of putting Vlady in. In his prime the guy was a legit top guy. From 98-05 he was a GREAT player and even had a few more decent seasons offensively after. It's a shame the guy aged as bad as he did because if he was able to withstand father time a little better I think he'd be a shoe in for the hall. A 56.6 fWAR isn't great and a 59.9 bWAR isn't a whole lot better, but in his prime he played like a HOFer. I'll give Vlady the nod, although I do think it'll take him some tries before they let him in.