Why is Vladimir Guerrero the #2 Angel of All Time?
Well first, let's ask why is he not the #1 Angel of All Time?
Vlad holds more franchise rate stat records (Batting Avg., Slugging %, OPS, Offensive Win %) than Tim Salmon (our obvious choice for #1 Angel of All Time). But Tim has more than twice the number of Plate Appearances and a ring.
Against our #3 Angel, Brian Downing, Vlad trounces Downing's rate stats.
Like our #4 Angel, Nolan Ryan, Vlad was the defining player of his Angels generation, more than just the face of the franchise, but the player that transformed how people thought about the Angels. And Vlad did not jsut paly every 4th day.
Vlad ranked 16th All Time Angel after the 2005 season (LINK to STORY) and only 1,274 Plate Appearances. With just over 3,300 at present, he is undeniably the most important player from this team in their most important and accomplished decade.
0 recs | 22 comments
Its nice to finally see this. Good job Rev
VladdyG - July 30, 2009
I would have him at 4
With GA, TIm, and Fregosi ahead. Of course, my biases play into this. As do yours.
Can’t argue with Vlad at #2. Great choice.
vladtheimpaler - July 30, 2009
I think
no one would argue that in their careers Vlad is a better player than Tim Salmon, but Tim Salmon may have had a better Angels career than Vlad. I guess that’s the question is does Vlad’s Expos years have an impact on where he is on this list. In fact, if Vlad never played in another game, would he go in the hall as an Expo or Angel?
ponusbaum43 - July 30, 2009
hmmmmm
My guess is that after we win the world series with Vlad hitting .420 with 5 hr’s and 12 rbi’s, he will go in as an Angel for sure.
vladtheimpaler - July 30, 2009
yes
that would help. If he does that, I’ll get VLAD tattooed on my forehead.
ponusbaum43 - July 30, 2009
saved
for future references
eyespy - July 30, 2009
My guess
is that Vlad goes in as an Angel in any case. I can’t imagine too many Hall officials lobbying for a team that no longer exists. This will be especially true if Vlad finishes out his career with us.
But a WS would be sweet (obviously) and would cement the decision.
Dr.Wily - July 30, 2009
I feel strongly that we need to win it all this year
I so want to have a WS championship team with Vlade on it. Who knows what the future holds, but the last two seasons notwithstanding, he has carried this team like few individual players have or can in baseball. He’s led us to four division titles in five years. His MVP year was one of my favorite in baseball. He literally carried us into the playoffs in 2004. Finally, unlike GA, who I like a lot, he exudes tremendous joy at being a ballplayer and being an Angel.
Moondoggy - July 30, 2009
yes, let's hope Vlad wins a ring this year, to me that cements him as a top 1-2 Angel of all time.
I think many of us favor players from our childhood. For me it would be Ryan, Downing, Grich. But Vlad has been unbelievable literally carrying the team in many years as you point out. But darn, a ring would be nice.
tanana40 - July 30, 2009
I don't know...
Vlad should be #3, behind Salmon and Ryan.
I understand the argument that Vlad will be the first Angel in the hall, but really Ryan is. He may be wearing a Ranger hat, but everybody knows he had his best years as an Angel. In fact, Ryan snubbing the Angels is the reason players don’t get to decide which hat they get on their plaque now.
KingF15h - July 30, 2009
Good points all.
I didn’t know that players don’t get to decide which hat they get on their plaques now.
If Vlad tears it up, and if we win the WS, we’ll be revisiting the whole question regarding Vlad’s re-signing.
wumbug - July 30, 2009
I thought it was because...
Wade Boggs tried to sell his uniform selection to the Devil Rays.
But yeah why did Ryan do that?
Nashdiesel - July 30, 2009
I think it was in his contract with the Rangers.
But I can’t find any verification.
red floyd - July 30, 2009
Who knows, but it pisses me off
He played nine years with the Astros, eight with the Halos, and five with the Rangers.
The two players that the cap rule impacted were Gary Carter (who wears a Montreal cap…he wanted a Mets cap) and Boggs, who publicly claimed he wanted to go in as a Yankee (where he won his ring), but even though he fueded with Boston mgmt, his plaque has a BoSux cap.
Nolan, who I loved, is dead to me. Screw him…I hope he burns the arms off every one of the Ranger pitchers.
Hell hath no fury like a Moondoggy scorned
Moondoggy - July 30, 2009
I had though it was the Devil Rays also.
They did this with Canseco I believe.
I stand corrected per wikipedia
hauldog - July 30, 2009
Very nice call
Vlad is the symbol of the transition the Angels franchise has made.
hauldog - July 30, 2009
When Vlad's name comes out on the Rhoid List
How far will his number drop???
Dono Romantico - July 30, 2009
Vlad has Hemorrhoids?
red floyd - July 30, 2009
it's why he walks like he has a stick up his ass
Moondoggy - July 30, 2009
LOL!
KingF15h - July 30, 2009
You can’t be sure he roided..Maybe he did,I can’t say…
He was NOT one of the names on the internet list,and at one point during his Expo years was voted by his peers as the least likely to be on the juice..
Vlad is guilty of a poor diet and lackluster workout routine…
He may of done steroids,but until then is to be given the benfit like all the other players have been given..
Can’t Vlad have an injury plagued season and be given the benfit of the doubt…
Christ.
raven191 - July 30, 2009
Number 0!
WillGoAngels27 - August 7, 2009
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