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

Since Cristian Guerrero’stime in the Atlantic Leaguewas limited it is not surprising people did not remember much about him, but former teammate and current Yorkoutfielder Steve Haakewas 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 Leaguegame.

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 Camdenin 2007.

SomersetManager Sparky Lyletried 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 Revolutionafter five seasons in Gary, IN, had no such trouble zeroing in on Guerrero’s talent since they were teammates with the RailCatsthe 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 Parkerdid it for Bangor, MEin what was the Northeast Leaguein 1996.

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‘Five Tool’ Jimerson Challenging Batting Leader

Charlton Jimersondoes not show up among the Atlantic Leaguebatting leaders since he only has 99 official plate appearances, but he is making his mark as Bridgeport’scleanup 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 Castroof York,.364 to .371 entering play Tuesday.

“He’s (Jimereson) a special player,” praised BluefishManager 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 Leaguebatting champion has “gone home”.  Victor Rodriguez, who led Newarkin both average (.365) and hits (159) while helping the Bearstake the 2007 title, was traded from Bridgeportto the New Jerseyhaunts 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.)