DETROIT -- Carlos Guillen is the most recent in a long line of talented shortstops who have traveled from Venezuela to the Major Leagues, going back to the 1950s with Chico Carrasquel, the 1960s with Luis Aparicio, the 1970s with Dave Concepcion, the 1980s with Ozzie Guillen and the 1990s with Omar Vizquel.
But he hasn't played an inning at shortstop in the World Series yet. Guillen, who was set back by a string of injuries earlier in his career, is making major contributions this postseason for the Tigers while playing first base in place of Sean Casey.
Casey returned to the Detroit lineup in the World Series after missing most of the American League Championship Series due to a left calf injury. But Casey was eased back as the designated hitter in the first two games and Guillen continued to play first base.
Tuesday night, when the Series moves on to St. Louis and the DH will not be in effect, Casey will be back at first base and Guillen will return to shortstop.
The maneuvering by Guillen is another example of his value to the Tigers, for whom he has blossomed into the player that showed so much promise when he signed with the Astros organization as a 16-year-old in 1992.
Guillen was involved in one of the major trades of the 1990s, but an even more important deal for Guillen was one in 2004. That's the trade that brought him to Detroit from Seattle for aging outfielder Juan Gonzalez and infielder Ramon Santiago, who has since rejoined the Tigers and played shortstop while Guillen was at first.
Guillen, 31, was a .264 career hitter in parts of six seasons with the Mariners, but has batted .320 in his three years with the Tigers. He hit .320 this season, the same average he had in 2005, and posted career-high figures with 41 doubles and 100 runs scored. His 19 home runs and 85 RBIs were second only to the 20 home runs and 97 RBIs Guillen had in 2004, his first season in Detroit.
Carlos Guillen follows through on his RBI double in the first inning Sunday. (Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)
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Versatile Guillen proving his value
Versatile Guillen proving his value
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