Angels slugger Vladimir Guerrero got two steps closer to Cooperstown on a 2 HR night. He hit the 399th and 400th Homeruns of his career, ranking him 45th all time at age 34. The benchmark blast was an uncharacteristic opposite field shot that hit the RF foulpole in Angels Stadium, igniting the near capacity crowd and giving the Angels the lead in a close, high-scoring game against the playoff-contending Tampa Bay Rays.
43. Jason Giambi - 407
Duke Snider - 407
45. Vladimir Guerrero - 400
46. Andres Galarraga - 399
Al Kaline - 399
48. Dale Murphy - 398
49. Joe Carter - 396
50. Graig Nettles - 390
Rays reliever Russ Springer surrendered Vlad's 400th Homer. Guerrero hit his 399th in the 2nd inning off of Starter Matt Garza.
2 recs | 30 comments
Congrats Big Daddy
chairmanofthebar - August 10, 2009
I hope to see many more
TheTypingFiend - August 10, 2009
what do we think
of his chances for 500??
i think if he puts away his pride and accepts a smaller contract and the dh position, he could play 4 more years (excluding this year) and make it no problem
sctrojan13 - August 10, 2009
I just wish #400 had been the Salami in the 4th, instead of the solo shot.
red floyd - August 10, 2009
Sheeesh. You just can't please some people ;)
OntariGro - August 10, 2009
Well, at least my blood pressure wished that.
red floyd - August 11, 2009
That was a pretty deflating GIDP. It gave life to the Rays. In the context of the final outcome, though, it was a small point. Vladdy won that game for the Halos!
Downing Rules - August 11, 2009
Tomorrow night.
opiejeanne - August 10, 2009
Good for him.
And he signs the “400” sign. Seems like a great guy.
Figgi4life - August 10, 2009
Saw that. Awesome thing to do.
Vlad for Panther!
OntariGro - August 10, 2009
Really?? Thats awesome
JoseGuillenSux - August 10, 2009
Yup
After his interview, right before he went in the dugout
Figgi4life - August 11, 2009 via mobile
thats why i want him for another year
i still think he has enough to last another year
i hope he gets re signed
princeton11loveshalos - August 10, 2009
re sign him and get rid of mathis
so napoli can be the true starting catcher and make vlad the permanent DH
JoseGuillenSux - August 10, 2009
no matter how much we all hate mathis
we win more when he is the catcher
napoli is an awful catcher but a good hitter=good dh
sctrojan13 - August 11, 2009
i don't understand
what makes mathis a good catcher? its not his ability to throw out runners or his ability to block balls in the dirt..
b0rd3rline - August 11, 2009
calling the game.
read between the lines from quotes from Soth, Jered Weaver and John Lackey (guys I can think of from the top of my cranium who have made these comments). They say that Mathis calls a good game. Pitchers are more comfortable throwing to him. I don’t understand it, but that’s what I have read.
Downing Rules - August 11, 2009
HOF
The only eligible players with 400+ HR who are NOT in the Hall of Fame:
Darrell Evans (414 HR + 2223 hits, but only .248/.361/.431, 119 OPS+)
Andre Dawson (438, 2774, .279/.323/.482, 119 OPS+)
Dave Kingman (442, 1575, .236/.302/.478, 115 OPS+)
Jose Canseco (steroids)
Mark McGwire (steroids)
Kingman was one-dimensional, although the OPS+ belies the .236 average; Kingman did not play in as offensive-minded an era; still, I doubt there’s anyone who thinks he was in the same class as Dawson or Evans. As for the latter two, both have decent chances at the Hall, especially via the Veterans’ Committee.
A few more players become eligible over the next few years. Fred McGriff’s candidacy will be the most intriguing (493, 2490, .284/.377/.509, 134 OPS+)
Vlad sits at 400, 2197, .322/.387/.571, 145 OPS+.
Absent any really damaging revelations about him, Vlad is certain to gain admittance.
jjackflash - August 11, 2009
The average
Is what seals it…
Figgi4life - August 11, 2009 via mobile
Gongrats to Big Daddy on number four zero zero
Continues to help the Angels win.
Go Vlad. I’m expecting big things from you the rest of the year.
vladtheimpaler - August 11, 2009
vlad IS my man!!!!
vlad IS my man - August 11, 2009
You had me at 399.
3rd Echelon - August 11, 2009
He had me at "¡Hola!"
Downing Rules - August 11, 2009
So does he go into the HOF as an Expo or an Angel?
BrentSchmidt - August 11, 2009
Since the Expos don't exist any more, and he was never a Nat, my guess is as an Angel.
red floyd - August 11, 2009
Plus, his MVP season was as an Angel.
red floyd - August 11, 2009
Plus, his future WS ring will be as an Angel.
Downing Rules - August 11, 2009
I've wondered that also.
He played for the Expos slightly longer. He has the MVP with us, but had better seasons with them (meaning his Expo days are more responsible for him going to the Hall).
At this point, I’d guess Expo (doesn’t matter that they don’t exist anymore, ask Gary Carter). He may need a year or two more with us for the Hall to objectively determine he belongs in as an Angel.
snowhor - August 11, 2009
He is going in as an Angel..
He was a beast on both clubs,one not being any more responsible for him going there then any other…Being an Expo,may of cut off a few months of his career (see 2003) and hurt his knees a little…
He was a great OF with Montreal with a feared arm who could run like a gazelle…
Being an Angel; gave him more mainstream recognition,put him on the National stage and gave him a chance to win an MVP award !
raven191 - August 11, 2009
and gave him a chance to sniff playoffs.
and now a chance to get a ring. WIN IT FOR VLADDY!
Downing Rules - August 11, 2009
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