Cristian Guerrero Will Not Be Forgotten Now After Hitting Five Homers in as Many Times at Bat

Since Cristian Guerrero’s time in the Atlantic League was limited it is not surprising people did not remember much about him, but former teammate and current York outfielder Steve Haake was not in total shock when he learned the strapping outfielder had pounded home runs in five consecutive times at the plate in an independent Northern League game.

This was a tremendous feat, duplicated only once anywhere in professional baseball—majors or minors—so I tried, although without much success, to find out more about the 29-year-old right-handed hitter from some of the people who were in the Atlantic League when Guerrero played 43 games for Camden in 2007.

Somerset Manager Sparky Lyle tried to dig up some recollections.  He couldn’t.  The Patriots’ Brett Jodie, who doubles as director of player procurement and pitching coach, thought about the question.  “Lanky guy,” he said after a few seconds.  Right on.  Guerrero is listed at 6-foot-5 and anywhere from 200 to 220 pounds.  “He had some pop; some wheels,” Jodie continued, once more right on target.

Ellie Rodriguez, the league’s Latin coordinator, also remembered Guerrero’s size, and that he had hit a few home runs but with modest success.  Yes, seven dingers in 145 at-bats plus a .290 average and 23 runs batted in.

Haake, who recently joined the Revolution after five seasons in Gary, IN, had no such trouble zeroing in on Guerrero’s talent since they were teammates with the RailCats the last two seasons.

After calling the accomplishment “unbelieveable”, Haake said it did not surprise him that if anyone could hit five round-trippers in as many opportunities it would be his former teammate.  He’s thin and at times can be out of synch, Haake explained, “but he is extremely strong and when he gets hot he can carry a team.  He is one of the best players I’ve ever played with.”

Guerrero’s feat was accomplished in a doubleheader played in Rockford, IL, with home runs in his last two at-bats in the opener and the first three in the nightcap—on the only three pitches he saw—before  ending the night with a sacrifice fly to the base of the wall in right-center.  The only other known time the feat has been accomplished also was in an independent league.  Corey Parker did it for Bangor, ME in what was the Northeast League in 1996.

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‘Five Tool’ Jimerson Challenging Batting Leader

Charlton Jimerson does not show up among the Atlantic League batting leaders since he only has 99 official plate appearances, but he is making his mark as Bridgeport’s cleanup hitter just as he did last season when he won the batting title (.335) and all-league outfield honors with Newark. He trailed the official league-leader, Ramon Castro of York, .364 to .371 entering play Tuesday.

“He’s (Jimereson) a special player,” praised Bluefish Manager Willie Upshaw, who has worked with many a top flight major leaguer. Upshaw says the 30-year-old Jimerson is a “five tool player, who is playing as hard as I’ve seen anyone in this league.”  The manager also likes Jimerson’s “great focus.”

’07 Batting Champ Victor Rodriguez Back at Newark

Another Atlantic League batting champion has “gone home”.  Victor Rodriguez, who led Newark in both average (.365) and hits (159) while helping the Bears take the 2007 title, was traded from Bridgeport to the New Jersey haunts Monday for a player to be named later.  The 33-year-old had hit .276 with a homer and four RBI in the seven games he played for the Bluefish, and had a run-scoring double (1-for-4) in his return to Newark Tuesday.

(These are excerpts from the Atlantic League Notebook. Subscriptions to the Notebook are available via www.AtlanticLeagueBaseball.com or www.WirzandAssociates.com.  Bob Wirz also writes a weekly column, the Independent Baseball Insider, as well as a blog, www.IndyBaseballChatter.com. The author has 16 years of major league baseball public relations experience with Kansas City and as chief spokesman for two Commissioners and lives in Stratford, CT.)