Dominican baseball player Adrian Beltre three home runs in one game

Thursday night the Dominican Baseball Guy was live tweeting when Adrian Beltre of the Rangers had three home runs and five RBI through four innings against the Orioles. He was off to a record setting night, but alas that is all he got from the plate and he ended the night with just the three hits. The Rangers won the game 12-3.

RBIs have always been one of those curious stats. They have always been important, but they really depend on what the guys in front of you are doing. So, with three home runs, the Dominican baseball player Beltre had just five RBI.

Beltre is on pace for possibly his second 30 HR, 100 RBI, .300 average season of his career. He is a three time all-star. For a 15 year veteran he is not that old at 33. He was the youngest player in the big leagues when he came up at 19 years old in 1998.

But on this night, his three home runs were not even the most on his team this season. Josh Hamilton hit four home runs in one game against the Orioles back on May 8th.

Dominican baseball player Adrian Beltre is from Santo Domingo.

Dominican baseball player Adrian Beltre three home runs in one game, photo by Keith Allison on Flickr

Dominican baseball player Vlad Guerrero getting in baseball shape quickly

Dominican baseball player Vladimir Guerrero could be in the majors soon.  The 16 year big leaguer is working out at the Blue Jays Spring Training facility in Florida, and the team says he is making great strides.  Guerrero recently signed with the Blue Jays, and was expected to spend several weeks to months getting into shape.

But the Blue Jays just sent their DH Adam Lind to the minors, so Guerrero could be coming to the big league club sooner than initially thought.  He is still expected to make his way through the Blue Jays minor league system, before appearing with the big league club.

Guerrero says that he is happy to be back where he started his career in Canada, and that the atmosphere north of the border reminds him of the Dominican Republic:

"The people in Montreal, the fans, were very different. I felt like I could walk down the street like I was in the Dominican. Nobody would attack me or anything like that. They'd say hi and I felt very, very comfortable on the streets. Then again, when I got to the ballpark, then they became fans -- that's what I really liked about it."

Vladimir Guerrero is from Nizao, Dominican Republic.

Dominican baseball player Vladimir with the Orioles last season.  Photo courtesy of Keith Allison on Flickr

First Brazilian plays in MLB and Dominican player Vladimir Guerrero could be his teammate

Yan Gomes became the first Brazilian to appear in an MLB game on Thursday.  He went 2-3 in his debut for the Blue Jays after being called up from AAA earlier in the day.

For Gomes, it is an honor to be the first Brazilian to play in the MLB:

"Growing up in Brazil you would never think of that, so coming out here and having it, it seems like it happened so fast.  So I definitely have to take it in.  I'm really proud of it, it's an honour to represent my country."

His strong performance at the plate last year in AAA and this year in Spring Training earned him the promotion.  Gomes came up to replace the suspended Brett Lawrie at third base for the Jays.  He is hoping to prove himself while Laurie is on suspension, but a return to the minors seems inevitable at this point.  If he keeps up his strong hitting he could catch on as a major league utility player (Gomes plays catcher and several other positions).

In other news, Dominican player Vladimir Guerrero could be joining Gomes soon, if both are on the Jays big league roster.  It seems that Guerrero is performing well in the minors and could be fast tracked to the big league club.

Vladimir Guerrero is from Nizao, Dominican Republic.

Dominican baseball player Vladimir Guerrero could be on the Blue Jays major league roster soon.
Photo by to by Keith Allison on Flickr

Dominican beisbol player Vladimir Guerrero signs with Blue Jays

Dominican beisbol player Vladimir Guerrero has signed a minor league deal to play with the Blue Jays.  He was most recently rumored to sign with the Indians, and before that there were rumors he was Miami Marlins bound.  But alas the Blue Jays scooped him up, hoping to add depth to a lineup that is third worst in the American League in batting average.

Guerrero will report to the Blue Jays Spring Training complex in Florida for an extended Spring Training.  He then will join one of the Blue Jays minor league affiliates and if he does well there, he should be with the big league club sooner rather than later.

The Dominican Baseball Guy is surprised to see that it has taken this long for him to get picked up.  He hit .290 as a DH last year for the Orioles in 562 at bats.  And he is only two years removed from a .300, 29 HR, and 115 RBI season with the Rangers.

And as Blue Jays GM Alex Anthopoulos says, "there's no such thing as a bad minor league signing."

The Blue Jays really do not have much to lose.  If he makes the big league club they get him for cheap.  And if he does not pan out, they only have to pay him a minor league salary.

Dominican beisbol player Vladimir Guerrero es Nizao, Republica Dominicana.

Dominican beisbol player Vladimir Guerrero pictured last year with the Orioles.
He recently signed with the Blue Jays, photo by Keith Allison on Flickr

Orioles sign Dominican Miguel Tejada, could play at third base

The Dominican Baseball Guy recently did an interview with Adam Brush, the trainer of Miguel Tejada.  The two were working out in Florida, with the anticipation that an MLB team signs him this year.

That anticipation was answered and the Orioles have signed Miguel Tejada for the rest of the season.  The Orioles want a second option at third base, where Mark Reynolds has struggled.

No one knows whether Tejada will replace Reynolds, or even if he will make it onto the big league roster.  For now, Tejada is heading to the Orioles complex in Sarasota, Florida for an extended Spring Training.  If he shows he is ready to play at a major league level, the team can call him up.

This is Miguel Tejada's third stint with the Orioles.  He is from Bani, Dominican Republic.

Dominican player Miguel Tejada (with the Orioles in 2007) is back with the team, photo by Keith Allison on Flickr

Miguel Tejada ready to play ball

Miguel Tejada is ready to join an MLB team as soon as one comes calling.

The 37 year old Tejada is nearing the end of his MLB career, but should still have a couple good years left.  He played in 91 games last year for the Giants.  While his offensive output is down from his peak, he is still a very good fielder and can play three infield positions.

Adam Brush has been training with Tejada in Florida for several years.  A former college player that is a National Strength and Conditioning Association certified trainer, Brush has worked with a number of big league players including Manny Ramirez, Anibal Sanchez, Ramon Hernandez, Luis Hernandez, Juan Rincon, and Ardolis Chapman.  He is the owner of Five Tool Baseball Performance Training.

According to Brush, Tejada looks great and is ready to go.

"Miguel is a joy to work with.  He absolutely loves the game of baseball, and playing the game is what he wants to do.  He knows what it takes to play in the big leagues, and he knows that he can still produce at that MLB level," Brush said through a phone call.

Continuing, Brush says, "I first worked with Miguel over five years and he looks as good as he ever has.  He is taking over 200 ground balls and hitting four days a week.  And we are doing baseball strength and conditioning work three times per week.  He is working extremely hard, so that when he does get a phone call, he is ready to go."

A native of the Dominican Republic, Tejada is a legend in his home country.  He has played 15 seasons in the major leagues, but has actually played more years than that in the Dominican Winter League (LIDOM).  Tejada is known as "the nation's ball player" or "the patriot player" in his home country, due to his prowess on the field in LIDOM action and his ability to represent Dominican baseball through numerous avenues.

Adam Brush witnessed the love that Dominicans have for Tejada during a training trip to the Dominican Republic.  They went to a LIDOM game one night.

Brush explains, "he stood up, got in the aisle to leave, and the entire stadium went crazy.  There were people yelling his name, taking pictures with their cell phones.  It was like a rock star.  It blew me away because I had never seen anything like it in my life."

"The Dominican baseball fans are absolutely unbelievable fans," said Brush.

A career .286 hitter, Tejada has played in Oakland, Baltimore, Houston, San Diego, and San Francisco.  He is a 6 time all-star and former MVP winner, so at the very least he is a great mentor for young players, especially Dominican players.  Miguel is from Bani, Dominican Republic.

Dominican baseball star Miguel Tejada with the Orioles in 2007, photo by Keith Allison on Flickr

Dominican player Vladimir Guerrero arrested in Dominican Republic, denies role in bar brawl

Dominican player Vladimir Guererro has turned himself in to police in the Dominican Republic following an altercation at a bar. Bar fights in the Dominican Republic seem to be a big issue with Dominican baseball players. Who can forget Dominican player Angel Villalona pretty much ruining his career over a bar stool fight on a winter visit back home?

For his part, Guererro is claiming he is innocent. ''At no time did I attack anyone, nor was I fleeing,'' Guerrero told the AP. ''I presented myself at the jail last night after the complaint from the disco, and this morning first thing I went to the police that are handling the case.''

Looks like your typical Dominican baseball player wrongly accused and possible extortion attempt on a well-known player. But who knows. It seems like a minor incident even if the prosecutors follow through with the charges. It sounds like Vladdy bumped a police officer when they were trying to break up a fight.

For all the lack of law and order in the Dominican Republic, it sure seems that Dominican baseball players end up in a lot of legal troubles in their home country. That is the major reason the Dominican Baseball Guy often thinks 'extortion' rather than the player is 'guilty' upon hearing of Dominican player legal problems.

Vladimir spent last season with the Orioles and hit .290 and 13 home runs. He is still unsigned for this season and is looking for a job. The former MVP is from Nizao, Dominican Republic.

Dominican beisbol player Vladimir Guerrero pictured last year with the Orioles,
photo by Keith Allison on Flickr

Dominican beisbol player Vladimir Guerrero works out for Indians

Dominican beisbol player Vladimir Guerrero showed up at the Indians Dominican baseball academy on Monday for a workout.  He is one of the all-time top Dominican beisbol players in history, by the Dominican Baseball Guy's estimation and most others.  "Vlad" Guerrero is thought to be a sure fire Hall of Famer by most as well.

As much as the Dominican Baseball Guy hates to say it, the great Guerrero is showing his age.  He has been in the big leagues for sixteen years.  With that said, he did hit .290 with 13 homers and 63 RBI in 145 games last year.  Not bad for an off year, but he is a .318 lifetime hitter.

Well, the Dominican Beisbol Guy would sure love to see him in the majors for another season.  Vladimir Guerrero es de Nizao, the Dominican Republic.

Dominican beisbol player Vladimir Guerrero still had a pretty darn good
year last year with the Orioles, photo by Keith Allison on Flickr

Dominican baseball player Vladimir Guerrero to the Marlins, Dominicano Vlad Guerrero a Marlins?

It is no secret that Vladimir Guerrero has been one of the favorite Dominican baseball players of the Dominican Baseball Guy for many years.  He remains in third place all-time among Dominican baseball players in hits, RBI, and home runs, and is second for lifetime average at .318.

Last year, Guerrero signed a one year free agent deal with the Orioles.  By most accounts he had a bad year.  But if you look at the numbers, they are really not that bad.  He hit .290 in 500+ at bats, and had 13 home runs and 63 RBI.  Now these numbers are certainly off his career average, but most MLB players would take these numbers, particularly the .290 average.  The guy hit .290, and this was a bad year.

So it goes for an aging superstar like Dominican baseball player Vladimir Guerrero.  He is unsigned this off-season thus far, but recently told Dominican newspaper EL Caribe that the Marlins and Ozzie Guillen had contacted him.  Most think he is DH at best, and wonder what a National League team would be doing talking to him.  But, Vladimir says that he is still a player that should play every day, even if it is as an outfielder.

It is a wait and see game to see if the Marlins sign him, or if any other team picks him up.  The Dominican Baseball Guy anxiously awaiting to see where he lands.  Pelotero Dominicano Vladimir Guerrero es de Nizao, Republica Dominicana.

Dominican baseball player Vladimir Guerrero hopes to play another year, by Rich Anderson on Flickr

Vladimir Guerrero ready to strengthen Orioles lineup

Yesterday's post featured the Dominican Baseball Guy's all time favorite Dominican player, Manny Ramirez, and today features the Dominican Baseball Guy's second favorite player all time in Vladimir Guerrero.  While Manny is first in career RBI by Dominican born players and second in hits and home runs, Vlad is third in all three categories.  He is just behind Manny in hits and actually has a better average, an amazing .324 lifetime average.

A couple of recent articles by Brittany Ghiroli tell of the excitement Guerrero is brining to Orioles camp.  This one says how Vlad answers all his fan mail during spring training and how his mother makes plenty of Dominican food for Vlad and his teammates.  According to ex-teammate Michael Young, "his mother has the best food in the league."  Another article talks of Vlad's place in the Orioles lineup as designated hitter and who he will be replacing.

Vlad was on some great talented teams with the Expos in the 1990's.  He won an MVP in 2004, his first of six years with the Angels.  And he was with the Rangers for one year last year.  He has nine all-star selections and eight silver slugger awards, along with the one MVP.

His peers call him "Vladdy."  He is a legendary bad ball hitter, and has never worn batting gloves.  Vlad is from Nizao, DR and has several businesses in his hometown.

Guerrero with the Angels in 2005, no gloves hitting one of his
legendary "bad balls," photo by Rich Anderson on Flickr