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Vlad’s career built solid case for Cooperstown
- Updated: January 8, 2017
In Vladimir Guerrero’s first year on the Hall of Fame ballot, Cooperstown looks like it might be within reach.
A nine-time All-Star for the Expos, Angels and Rangers (he also played for the Orioles) and a man who could hit anything, Guerrero appears a likely candidate to get into the Hall of Fame eventually. But whether he’ll join the Hall of Fame class of 2017 isn’t yet clear.
MLB.com takes a look at Vlad’s case for Cooperstown by the numbers ahead of the results of the 73rd BBWAA Hall of Fame election being revealed Wednesday, Jan. 18 at 6 p.m. ET live on MLB Network, and simulcast live on MLB.com beginning at 5 p.m.
Vladimir Guerrero, OF/DH, 1996-2011Career stats: .318/.379/.553, 2,590 H, 449 HR, 1,496 RBIs, 1,328 R, 250 IBB, .931 OPS, 140 OPS+, 136 wRC+, 59.3 WAR
HOF case, traditional stats • Vlad was always extremely dangerous at the plate. His .553 career slugging percentage ranks 21st all-time among retired players, and it would rank 14th among Hall of Famers, ahead of contemporaries like Mike Piazza and Ken Griffey Jr., both of whom were inducted last year.
• In baseball’s modern era, only 18 players with as many plate appearances as Guerrero (9,059) retired with a higher batting average than his .318 mark. All of them are in the Hall of Fame.
• Guerrero’s reputation preceded him. One of the most feared hitters in baseball, the …
