The World Series begins tonight in San Francisco. And the World Series usually brings us a sad story about a player that has toiled in the major leagues but never made it to the World Series – until now.
Ken Griffey, Jr. has the most home runs in history (630) of those who never played in a World Series.
Vladimir Guerrero has 436 home runs and tonight marks his World Series debut. And the long-time Montréal Expos outfielder has had a great career, but this is his first visit to the Fall Classic.
If you tune in tonight, you will see him in right field, where he hasn't spent much time this year. Though he was known as tremendous defensive outfielder, the turf at Montréal's Olympic Stadium hasn't done Guerrero well (see Dawson, Andre) and he has spent more time as the DH lately.
You will definitely see Guerrero as the DH in the lineup on Saturday when the World Series shifts to the Lone Star State.
I have watched Guerrero over the years, sometimes in person, with great admiration. I even got to see Guerrero play in Montréal in 2002. Chris Reitsma of the Cincinnati Reds (a Canadian from Alberta) hit Guerrero with a pitch, and Reitsma was booed for the next three innings. This is how passionate the Expos fans were.
Guerrero's then-teammate Orlando Cabrera has been in the playoffs for the last few years, this year with Cincinnati. Cabrera has a World Series ring with Boston in 2004. Guerrero would like to join that club.
The World Series is carried in the United States on FOX and Rogers Sportsnet in Canada. Canadians can choose to watch FOX through its affiliates via cable.
picture credit: Stephen Dunn/Getty Images
I am a big fan of him! I always watched his games with my friends.
Posted by: WS Montreal | December 26, 2010 at 01:37 PM