Vladimir Guerrero turns into man of steel for the Rangers

Vladimir Guerrero wore a blue Texas Rangers cap, a gray road jersey and a blue T-shirt underneath the jersey.

Would that be a blue Rangers T-shirt?

“No,” Guerrero said, smiling widely. “ Superman.”

In his last years with the Angels, Guerrero took to wearing his blue T-shirt with the Superman logo, even as it clashed with the red cap.

Guerrero has revived his career in Texas, through superhuman powers or otherwise. His body did not betray him this season, and he is so refreshed that he now wants to extend his distinguished career long beyond this year.

“Three or four more years,” he said.

Guerrero, one of the greatest players of this generation, batted cleanup in Game 1 of the World Series on Wednesday, in his first appearance in the Fall Classic.

He drove in two runs in the Rangers’ 11-7 loss to the San Francisco Giants. He also committed two errors in right field, forced from his usual designated hitter spot because of the National League rules in play in San Francisco.

Guerrero had played 40 postseason games without appearing in the Series, second among active players to Rafael Furcal of the Los Angeles Dodgers.

In his seven years with the Montreal Expos, he never got to the playoffs.

In his six years with the Angels, he got to the playoffs five times, to the American League Championship Series twice, but never to the World Series.

“Of course, I was hoping to get there,” Guerrero said. “We never came through.”

Guerrero hit .378 last October, as the Angels beat the Boston Red Sox in the division series and lost to the New York Yankees in the league championship series.

The nine-time All-Star wanted to return to Anaheim, but the Angels spurned his overtures for a two-year deal. He was about to turn 35. He had played in fewer games in four consecutive seasons. And, in an effort to minimize the chances of injury and keep his still-potent bat in the lineup, he was all but limited to designated hitter.

The Rangers needed a designated hitter. They signed him for $6.5 million, with a $9-million option for 2011.

He played in 152 games, his most in four years. He reclaimed his status as an elite hitter, batting .300 with 29 home runs. Fans voted him into the starting lineup of the All-Star game — in Anaheim.

He is not bitter toward the Angels. He still keeps his home in Anaheim.

He accepts congratulations on the Rangers’ Series berth, but only on behalf of his teammates, none of whom has endured 15 seasons to arrive at the Series.

“I’m just very proud and happy for my teammates,” he said through an interpreter, “even if some of them are in their first year. I’m proud to see them happy and enjoying this moment.”

In the clinching game of the ALCS, the Yankees intentionally walked Josh Hamilton three times, challenging Guerrero to beat them. He did, with the game-winning double.

“It’s like playing Russian roulette,” Rangers owner Chuck Greenberg said. “At some point, you’ll come across an unlucky chamber. They did.”

In the clubhouse celebration, Guerrero spotted Greenberg smoking a cigar and asked to share a smoke. Greenberg handed over his cigar.

Guerrero smiled, then snuffed the cigar in a pile of ginger ale and champagne.

Greenberg lit another cigar. Guerrero asked for that one, too, and doused it as well.

Greenberg lit a third cigar. Guerrero grinned, then wagged his index finger at his boss, warning him not to fall for the trick again.

You don’t mess with Superman.

bill.shaikin@latimes.com