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Montreal Expos: Could We See an All-Expos Outfield in HoF Class 2017?

By s.a. rose

Apr 2, 2016; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Fan holds a sign in support of HOF induction for Tim Raines (not pictured) and Vladimir Guerrero (not pictured) before the game between the Boston Red Sox and the Toronto Blue Jays at Olympic Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 2, 2016; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Fan holds a sign in support of HOF induction for Tim Raines (not pictured) and Vladimir Guerrero (not pictured) before the game between the Boston Red Sox and the Toronto Blue Jays at Olympic Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 3, 2015; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Former Montreal Expos Vladimir Guerrero throws the first pitch before the game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Toronto Blue Jays at the Olympic Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 3, 2015; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Former Montreal Expos Vladimir Guerrero throws the first pitch before the game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Toronto Blue Jays at the Olympic Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports /

Vladimir Guerrero

In his first year of eligibility, Vladimir Guerrero is expected to come close to cracking the 75% threshold. While he definitely put the fear of God into opposing pitchers, Guerrero doesn’t have the usual milestone numbers that HoF voters have come to expect, and he is definitely not even the best player to wear #27 in Anaheim any more. While most will assume Guerrero is a definite Hall of Famer, it will be interesting to see if he makes it in with his first opportunity.

The Highlights:

What Guerrero is well known for is the one bounce play – whether at the plate or in right field – the cannon arm in right field augmented by perhaps being the best bad ball hitter in recent memory. He had the ability to hit for average (.345 – finishing top 3 in the NL) and power (44 home runs – finishing top 5), as well as join the 30-30 club twice, just missing out on the 40-40 club when his 39 home runs and 40 steals in 2002 left him one home run shy. Playing in the NL at the same time as Barry Bonds and in a baseball town like Montreal that was far removed from the spotlight kept Guerrero from finishing higher than fourth in NL MVP voting during his time with the Expos. His first season with the Angels, he took home the AL MVP in 2004 and finished in the top 3 in MVP voting three of his first four seasons in Anaheim.

Vlad Guerrero’s peak seasons were some of the best for his era (especially when compared to the steroid users he was up against) and it is why he will be in the Hall of Fame in this class or the one that follows in 2018.

Where Guerrero’s candidacy suffers:

  • The Milestone numbers are not there as Guerrero finished with 2,590 hits, 449 HR and 1496 RBI. When voters look at 3,000 hits and 500 home runs as milestone numbers, these numbers fall short.
  • Played 23.7% of games as a DH
  • His playoff hitting stats drop sharply. In 44 playoff games, his batting average was .55 below his regular season average and his home runs per game were 1 for every 22 in the playoffs compared to 1 for every 4.8 games in the regular season.

That said, it is anyone’s guess if he gets in this year. Vlad will be right around 75% and it would be great for Montreal baseball fans to see two Expos (Tim Raines) get in as part of the same class in 2017.

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