VLADIMIR GUERRERO HALL OF FAME SPEECH

Commissioner John “Stray” Corrado’s Introduction Speech for Vladimir Guerrero:

Born Vladimir Alvino Guerrero. Nickname – “Vladdy”

Played 16 Seasons in the Mid-West Baseball League for only two franchises.   Virginia 1997 – 2012 & Tempe 2012.

Drafted only once in MWBL – 1997 Inaugural Formation Draft by Virginia in the 5th Round, Pick #90 overall.

Traded only once in his career from his original & long time franchise the Virginia Sluggers to the Tempe Tempers (2012).

Seven time All-Star, 2006 American League Most Valuable Player, 2266 Hits, .286 Batting Average, .340 On Base Percentage, 414 Home Runs, 1464 Runs Batted In.

It is with great honor that I present you with the Mid-West Baseball newest member of the 2019 Mid-West Baseball League Hall of Fame, Vladimir Guerrero.

VladimirGuerrero2019PlaqueVladimir Guerrero‘s Speech:

Thank you, Mr. Commissioner, muchas gracias.

I am humbled as I stand here thinking of my journey from the island of the Dominican to the halls of the MWBL Hall of Fame. How lucky can one person be? And all have I done is play a game,… Play a game. To be mentioned with such greats as Pedro Martinez, Manny Ramirez, Ivan Rodriguez, Carlos Delgado, Mariano Rivera, Derek Jeter, Greg Maddux, Larry Walker, Jeff Bagwell, Chipper Jones, Billy Wagner, Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, Randy Johnson,…did I miss anyone?..(with a smile)… Oh Yeah,…Mis buenos amigos Jim Thome and Todd Helton. What an honor to be mentioned along with those names. Gracias, estoy muy humilde.

Thank you’s begin with Virginia Sluggers owner, Paul Roe. Fifteen and a half years I spent with that team. Mr. Roe took a chance on me and never once failed to let me know how much I meant to the team. He could have traded me several times (ask Commissioner Corrado), but he always told me that he hoped to have me as a lifetime Slugger. Well, he came close. Without his faith and support, I might not be here, on this stage, today. Gracias, por la oportunidad y por su creencia en mí.

And, no, I cannot leave out Mr. Chris Douglass of the Tempe Tempers. I was only there for half a year, but I was on a team that won 134 games that year (2012) and he believed in me enough to trade for me to help him win those games. Muchas gracias Mr. Douglass.

As for the players,… mi amigos,…I can’t thank you enough. It was an honor and a privilege to play alongside of you. Those teams around 2002 thru 2006 were some of the best I have played with. Helton, Thome, Ramirez (Aramis), Abreu, Garciaparra (who should be in here as well), Colon, Pettitte, and so many others I don’t have time to name. You made playing this game fun. Every time I stepped on the field with you, I felt honored to be a part of your team. Gracias mis amigos, muchas gracias.

I would also like to thank my family, (a smile…) all of them. Also I want to give fair warning,… my son,… Vladdy Jr.,… is coming up and he’s going to be better than me,… well,… maybe not better,… but just as good. Papa is still the boss (smile).

In closing I just want you to know how much this means to me. How thankful I am to all those who had an impact on my career. How honored I am. How humbled. Desde los pequeños campos de tierra en la República Dominicana hasta los grandes estadios de hierba en los Estados Unidos. Has hecho realidad el sueño. Gracias, gracias, gracias. (TRANSLATION: From the small dirt fields in the Dominican to the big grass stadiums in the United States. You have made the dream come true. Thank you, thank you, thank you.)

Vladimir Guerrero

TRADE DEADLINE
WEDNESDAY 07/24/2024
AT 11:59 PM - ET!

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