Vladimir Guerrero once drove a pitch that bounced in the dirt into the outfield for a hit, breaking the basic physics of a baseball swing. This deep dive explores how a childhood of extreme poverty in the Dominican Republic forged a Hall of Famer who ignored every conventional rule of hitting.

From makeshift gloves made of cardboard milk cartons to an MVP season in Anaheim, we trace how his unteachable hand-eye coordination and cannon arm made him the most feared hitter of his era.

• Signed with the Montreal Expos for a $2,100 bonus after the Dodgers passed on him.
• Never struck out 100 times in a season despite swinging at pitches far outside the zone.
• Won the 2004 American League MVP after carrying the Angels to a division title.
• Was voted the most feared hitter in baseball and put together a 44-game hittin ...