SMSBL Hall of Fame

Jeff grew up in Stockton CA and baseball is in his blood. Not meeting his biological a father Benny Guerrero until High School he had no idea where his love of the game came from. His dad played minor league baseball, played on a National Fast pitch championship team, coached at St Marys High and is in the Stockton Sports hall of Fame. His sisters all played fast pitch softball. So it was destiny that Jeff followed in the family passion. He played for Pioneer Little League, Canal Babe Ruth, Joe DiMaggio, and NCAL Mexican American Leagues. He set a single game strikeout record in Canal Babe Ruth striking out 16 in a 7 inning game. Jeff was an all-star at all levels playing Of, SS and Pitching. He was the MVP of the NCal Mexican American league as an 18 year old. He played with some of the best baseball teams in northern CA at Stagg High School. As a sophomore Jeff led the staff with a 5-2 record with 2.00 era. In 1977 at Delta Junior College he red shirted his first season only to put his college career on hold to serve as a missionary for his Church in New England. After returning home from a two year mission his love for the game was re-kindled playing softball. After a 4 year absence he walked on at Delta College and reunited with his old coach Pat Doyle from 83-86. On that team he won a coveted award as the most inspirational player for the 83-84 seasons. After College he played a couple of years in the NCal Mex league and soon found a new outlet " fastpicth softball.” Jeff played the hot corner on very good Lodi teams in A & B fast pitch tournaments. Jeff’s SMSBL career began in 1993 playing for Bob Eisleman on the original Sacramento Cardinals. Jeff led the team that year in BA hitting .567. Except for two breaks in between he has been in the league ever since. He has served briefly on the board and Played and managed. After the Cardinals he has played and or managed for the Cubs and Rangers. The last five years he has proudly played as a Sacramento Rocket. The 2008 Cubs team was his first managerial league Championship. In 2002 Playing in AZ for the first time on the Father Son team Sacramento Stars his love affair with Father Sons began. He has stated ‘This is the best tournament by far.” He is currently the SMSBL Father Son tournament director. He is also currently the manager of the father Son CA Capitals who has two local tournament Championships and one National Championship finish in the four years at the helm. He attributes his success to the players on the teams. He has developed strong bonds and lifelong friendships through SMSBL. His baseball competiveness is still there but it has been tempered by more important things. “It’s the People and relationships I value now. This is why I am still playing.” When his oldest son Lance passed away in 2003 the league held a ceremony and presented his family with a memento. “That meant a lot to me.” Guys I had competed against became fellow brethren who love the game and people as I do.” Life took center stage that day. That same year he hit his one and only homerun on July-1-03. That ball sits on his bookshelf in his office with some other special mementos and pictures that reminds him of the special people he has shared moments with playing in the SMSBL. “I love this game but for different reasons now. It's the people who make it great.”