SB Nation User Blog: raven191

MVP AL

raven191 — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 19:01:43 -0000

Hey guys.. Congrats to Vladimir on his 400th homer last night..Funny how they said it was 'uncharacteristic" of him to hit an opposite field home run .. Yet,that was one of his calling cards being able to hit HR anywhere..

Who do you all think is the MVP of the AL this year ?? Many candidates for sure,but no run away winner...

Obviously the next 2 months playa big part in who will get it , and how the playoff picture turns out..

So,right now who do you vote for if you had one ??

Morneau and Mauer, Abreu and Morales,Tex,Jeter,Miguel Cabrera ?? Or is there another person you think is deserving.. Too bad Torri is hurt,he was the MVP of the team at that point,but it is nice to see Juan and Kendry pick up the slack...

Vlad Guerrero

raven191 — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 02:34:26 -0000

Yes It is I again posting another Vlad Guerrero speil...

Here is my take on Guerrero and this year performance..

Vlad has had stretches in years past (2008 included) where he has had a poor 2 month of production..In years gone by, they were not noticed because he was doing this in June and July when he had got off 2 a hot start so the decline was not noticed as much..Last year and this year he has been doing it at the start so people are questioning his abilities and if he is able to still do what he can.

As we just seen tonight in the 9th,Vlad still has a great ability to smash a ball and hit it hard.. He even showed a glimpse of his Expos days by legging out a triple.. This is what Vlad needs to do 2 get back into things..He needs to learn patience at the plate.. I am not sure if he can hit those pitches that he use to for power anymore..I don't know if he can drive those low pitches 420 feet anymore..He needs to become patient and wait for a mistake in the zone and he can hit it hard..

This year he has become an easy K victim many times by being to antsy at the plate.He has fouled off many pitches that he was usually able to hit in the past.

I am glad he is cleaning up for the team now. He no longer can do the things a 3 hitter should do (Bonds when he was moved after his big season) I see Torri being the 3 guy as long as he stays anywhere above .280..He can run,drive in runners and get on base for Vlad.. Vlad doesn't have the athletic ability to be that 3 hitter anymore.

As for Vlad being the west coast David Oritz,let us wait till he has played a few more games to write him off yet..He has the ability to get hot and stay hot for a long time..Who is to say he doesn't tear the cover off the ball in July and August ?? I know that he likely won't hit the 25 hr mark this year,but I think 15-20 is a reasonable goal,provided Vlad decides to have an approach at the plate and wait for pitches he can hit.. We don't need the free swining Vlad anymore,that is an easy out waiting to happen and pitchers know that now..

He is 7 HR away from 400 for his career..He needs to do this in an Angel uniform and it would be nice if he did it SOON ! I hope by mid July he has done this so he can move on.. I know Vlad has had long periods in between HR before (some over 30 gms).. I hope that he doesnt wait that long for this.

What do you guys think ?? I believe in Vlad still,and that he needs a little more time,and I think he is slowly getting more hits here and there...It would be great if those came with guys on base..I think his problem is he needs to change the approach,I know changing it after 12 years is tough to do,but he has to realize he is not the hitter he once was,but the hitter he is now is still great and dangerous..

Vlad Guerrero

raven191 — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 22:36:38 -0000

"We're witnessing a Hall of Fame career," Scioscia said. "I think he has a lot of baseball left in him. I don't know if anybody takes for granted what Vlad's done. I think you talk about impact players of an era, Vlad' s going to stack up with any of them. When it's all said and done, his numbers are really reflective of the talent he's brought onto the field."

Vlad is also linked with the trainer that was caught with steroids.. I really hope he didn't do them,it would hurt a lot if he did... He seems to be doing ok with the knee surgery,hopefully he gets to 100 % soon,so he can start hitting balls as no one else can..

When you talk of Griffey,Manny Ramirez, and A-Rod...Vlad has numbers to stack up with any of them...

Hunter praises Guerrero

raven191 — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 13:55:25 -0000

http://losangeles.angels.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090108&content_id=3737284&vkey=news_ana&fext=.jsp&c_id=ana

This is great news to Angel fans....I can't wait to see what Vlad looks like this year.. I think with his added motivation that he is in for a great year.. He is one of the best offensive players in the MLB..I just hope the knee stays healthy and he plays 150 games .. I think he can play 120 or so of those in the OF, and DH once a week or if he is a litte sore from the wear and tear of a full ML season...Can't wait for the spring...

Smoltz and Baldelli rumors in BOSTON

raven191 — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 18:18:45 -0000

Just wondering what everyone thinks of these 2 signings...

John Smoltz and Rocco Baldelli supposedly deal is done.

Will Smoltz be healthy next year ?? and how bout BALDELLI...what do u guys think this means for the Red Shucks ??

Also,Chan Ho Park signed with the Phillies look out now !!!!!

I'm also wondering what the regular season record the last few years vs Boston has been.. I seem to remember us having success against them in the reg season.but of course they have gotten us in the pay-offs.

How is the weather in LA anyway ?? Its colder then cold here..lol..lots of snow and wind.. I bet it would be nice to spend these cold months there.

Vlad not mentioned for 2009 milestone

raven191 — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 16:04:23 -0000

When we speak of milestones for 2009.. I find it sad and disturbing that one of this generations greatest hitters and persons does not have mention of his accomplishments. Vladimir Guerrero is 8 HR shy of 400 for his career,one that has been consumate and professional.. I think Mr.Singer maybe that 400 isnt a good number for you.. Maybe it doesnt mean anything to you,yet you can talk about 2 closers coming in on 300 for there career.but no mention of a great person and player that is Vladimir Guerrero.. I for one can not wait for that day and when it comes,though most won't pay no mind,will be happy for Vlad... Lets not forget 2000 hits that went unnoticed,or anything elkse he has done in his career... This was an article wriiten about what to expect in 2009 by Tom Singer..No mention of Vlad Guerrero at all....disgusting.Happy New Year to all Angel fans.. Remember we still have a great team and to stay POSITIVE !

Vladimir Guerrero and LAA

raven191 — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 00:10:34 -0000

Just needs one more home run to have 25 + hr . I know we won't be seeing 400 this year,which was a hope,but seeing 390 will be pretty good 2.. I just hope we don't get a Cincinnati moment with Vladdy (in 2002 he missed his 40th hr by about an inch,hit the exact top of wall and bounced back in.)

Hope that he gets a few hits to end over .300 for the year.

Another goal would be 90 rbi.. He would need a good week 2 do it..

It was great seeing the Angels as much as I did this year.. I got to see I would guess 25 or 30 games which is great,,and I always check the highlights on all the websites..Nice to know that lots of people pick the Mariners to win the division !

Dream playoff scenario is Angels sweep Boston.. then play the White Sox and win in 5 or 6...

As to the World Series- Man Ram and the Dodgers please !!!!!!!!!!!

Man Ram vs Vlad G.

raven191 — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 23:21:28 -0000

Hey guys,I did an intresting comparison of these 2 after I got sick of the Man Ram is the best RH hitter ever,of our time,generation,era..etc.talk. I first,am not saying Man Ram can't go,b/c he is an awesome hitter and has great career numbers..I am just going to show how Vlad stacks up in talks of a RH hitter,and how he fares over the years with Man Ram

200 hit seasons- Manny Ramirez-0
Vladimir Guerrero-4

seasonal average of .310 or better- Man Ram-6
Vladimir Guerrero-9

seasons with 100 K's - Man Ram-10
Vlad G - 0

Seasons with 110 rbi plus-Manny Ramirez-7
Vladimir Guerrero - 6

Manny Ramirez-12 straight 25 + hr seasons
Five 40 hr + seasons

Vladimir Guerrero 10 straight 25 + hr seasons
Two 40 hr seasons, 2 seasons with 39 hr
Guerrero 11 straight seasons with .300 avg or higher
7 seasons with .320 avg or higher

Both members of 2,000 hit club,1,000 rbi club,1,000run club

I realize Ramirez has more HR and RBI this stage in the game.I know he has 500 + hr and Guerrero 380, but I think in the end,Guerrero has far more hits,and close 2 as many RBI,although I don'tlike to get into predictions,I will say Ramirez has beneitted from having more players in his lineup-Belle,Thome,Ortiz,Lowell,Alomar then has Guerrero (Guillen,Cabreara,Stevens,)

I won't get into size of stadium arguments,I have my own thoughts on that,I am just trying to show that,maybe there is another name in the argument,and that its close if anything,in the end we will have 2 watch out the careers of these 2 to see how the numbers shape up

Hope you all liked this article,go Angels.

Vladimir Guerrero

raven191 — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 21:15:06 -0000

Hi I have been on this site for a few years,and just signed up 2 talk ..

I can't say at how amazed I have been over the years at the negative comments towards a HOF player Vlad Guerrero ,who goes out and gives everything he has every night,plays with his heart on his sleeve,does everything his manager asks,doesnt distract the team,makes no excuses and puts up great numbers,as I have seen on this site and Facebook groups...

When Guerrero was in Montreal,he was worshipped,by the few who followed the team and who cared,we knew we had something very special. Here was a young,humble kid from poverty in the DR,playing out his dream in the Majors,in a small,quiet city as Montreal 2 the baseball world,low media coverage and low attendance,this guy went unnoticed almost every year till he got 2 the Angels.His years in Montreal,there may have been no better all around player then Guerrero,he was a 5 tool superstar,with no protection in the order,he was still able 2 put up godly numbers on last place teams.

I knew going into his last contract year,he was all but done in Montreal,I was ok with that,in hopes he would go to a team deserving of his talents and fans deserving of having the PRIVILEGE of watching him day in and day out. I am sure the vast majority of fans see what he really is,but there are soo many ppl who are quick to write him off many times.. Who has had a quiter 2,000 career hits then Vlad ?? What man on the brink of 400 hr has less attention around that then him..

Last year all he did was put up 45 doubles,125 rbi,batted 324 and he 'fell off"

How quick this year people have been to dismiss Guerrero ,and will again be mistaken. He has 14 hr,leading the TEAM,and leading in RBI as well..

Maybe we should think about where the team would be minus the RBI totals the last 4 years ?? Who else drove in 100 runs other then Guillen ?? Nobody. Who hit 30 hrs every year for LAA ??
He has batted well over .300 every year for this team,yet gets a lot of blame when the team falls off,or when he is struggling. Players are allowed to go into slumps,not everyone can hit all year long.. Vlad plays through many nagging injuries and never complains. He hasn't commited an error this year,and ppl still question his defense.

I just think its sad when people don't realize how special a player it is that is Guerrero.Players like him don't come around every year,he is a once in a lifetime talent.Might not have the HR numbers of A=Rod,and in future Pujols,but he has numbers all around the board,and perhaps no player is as valuable to his team then Vladdy.Most go ahead RBI since he came 2 the Angels.His MVP year he carried the team to the playoffs
Some suggested this year,since he got off 2 a slow start,and you know,once in your career you can start off slow,doesnt mean you cant hit or play in the bigs anymore,that he was done and couldn't handle it anymore.How many players would trade there numbers for Vlads ?? There would be a long lineup of players I assure that. A guy should be able 2,once in 11 years,to be under .300 during the AS break,and to not be questioned.

I became an Angels fan due to the signing of Vlad,have loved the team ever since,what a great team the last 4 1/2 years.Hope this year we can beat the Sox!

I would just like,however,2 not read the negativity about Vladimir.and 4 ppl to stop bashing him..Wait till its all said and done,before you say what you think of him..

I would say come October,we see the same .300 30/100 we do every year,and many players would do a lot to have those numbers

Awesome site btw,have enjoyed it for years,get a lot of my team news here,as I am in the eastern part of Canada.