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Sorry, Expos fans. Vladimir Guerrero isn’t going into the Hall of Fame in a Montreal hat. Despite spending two fewer years with the Angels than he spent playing in Canada, he’ll be the first player to wear an Angels hat on his plaque in Cooperstown.
He made the announcement on Thursday, and despite there being a dozen players in the Hall of Fame who played for the Angels at one point or another (including Rod Carew, Ricky Henderson, and Nolan Ryan), he’ll be the first to wear the hat when he goes in.
Just because he spent more time with the Expos than in Anaheim, it’s not like he didn’t accomplish anything during his California days. He won AL MVP while with them, as well as making the playoffs five times. While with the Expos, he won the Silver Slugger three times and represented them in the All-Star Game.
The Angels also unveiled a logo they’ll be using during the 2018 season to honor Guerrero’s achievement with the team and celebrate his election to the Hall.
We’d like to present the official logo that the Angels Organization will use to honor @VladGuerrero27 all year long! #VladHOF pic.twitter.com/CtCDle2peW
— Angels (@Angels) January 25, 2018
Expos fans aren’t too happy with the decision, as might be expected. This means they will have Gary Carter, Andre Dawson, and Tim Raines enshrined in Cooperstown with their hat on and that’s it. Not a bad trio!
Vlad Guerrero choosing an Angels cap for the Hall of Fame is an absolute slap in the face to the Expos.
— Chester Cheevo (@Neditch) January 25, 2018
Disappointed to hear Vlad is going into the #BBHOF as an Angel. #Expos deserved the honor.
— Nathan (@Plouffe24Fan) January 25, 2018
No disrespect to #Angels Vlad -- it's his choice, of course. He was terrific with them... I'll just remember him as a member of the #Expos. Sadly, not enough people saw him back then being in Montreal.
— Gary Phillips (@GaryHPhillips) January 25, 2018
Vlad's decision isn't a new jab that bruises Montreal. It's just another in the long line of reminders that the insult and damage which culminated in 2004 but began long before, will always remain an open wound. #Expos
— Rather Gingerly (@WinterLions) January 25, 2018
I completely understand why Vlad Guerrero chose to go into Cooperstown as the first ever California Angel, but a part of me is profoundly sad that he won't be wearing a Montreal Expos cap.
— Ari Shapiro (@ari_shapiro) January 25, 2018
Better luck next time, Expos fans ... oh, sorry. Never mind.