Part 4/9:
The decision to extend such a lucrative contract to Guerrero was not just about securing talent; it signified a shift in how the franchise aimed to position itself—not only in the American League but also in the hearts of baseball fans everywhere. The owner, Rogers Communications, and team executives like Mike Shapiro and Ross Atkins were determined not to enter another owners’ meeting feeling inferior or unable to present their franchise as a first-class team.