Pedro Guerrero was one of the original baseball players to come over from the Dominican Republic and have success in the United States, as Cleveland Indians scout Reggie Otero signed him at the age of 17.
Otero then went on to work for the Los Angeles Dodgers, where he convinced Dodgers personnel director Al Campanis to trade for Guererro. He went on to have a successful career with the Dodgers from 1978-88, leading them to a World Series in 1981. Guerrero was named World Series Co-MVP.
The now 60-year-old, who is one of the most popular former Dodgers, now faces a fight for his life after suffering a stroke, according to J.P. Hoornstra of the Southern California News Group:
A source close to Guerrero’s family confirmed that the three-time All-Star suffered a stroke Monday and is on a ventilator, but able to move his arms and legs.
Guerrero reportedly underwent brain surgery at a New York Hospital, per A.J. Perez of USA TODAY Sports:
Former Los Angeles Dodgers and St. Louis Cardinals slugger Pedro Guerrero required an emergency brain procedure to address an intraventricular hemorrhage Monday night, a surgeon at the hospital where Guerrero is recovering told USA TODAY Sports.
Guerrero played 15 MLB seasons, was named a five-time All-Star, with four of those nods coming during his tenure with the Dodgers. He finished in the top four in the MVP voting on four separate occasions throughout his career.
In 1,536 career games Guerrero batted .300/.370/.480 with 215 home runs and 898 RBIs. The Dodgers traded Guerrero to the St. Louis Cardinals in August 1988, and he played his last MLB game in 1992.
Guerrero suffered a stroke in February 2015, though managed to make quick return, and in July 2016, visited Dodger Stadium and threw out the ceremonial first pitch before a game against the Colorado Rockies.
