{"id":237605,"date":"2025-10-24T13:05:09","date_gmt":"2025-10-24T13:05:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/237605\/"},"modified":"2025-10-24T13:05:09","modified_gmt":"2025-10-24T13:05:09","slug":"from-homegrown-to-home-runs-vladimir-guerrero-jr-is-the-toronto-blue-jays-postseason-hero-heading-into-the-fall-classic","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/237605\/","title":{"rendered":"From homegrown to home runs, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is the Toronto Blue Jays\u2019 postseason hero heading into the Fall Classic"},"content":{"rendered":"

\n The most beloved athlete in Canada right now might be Toronto Blue Jays<\/a> first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr.\n <\/p>\n

\n The 26-year-old slugger, who signed with the Blue Jays organization in 2015 and has played his entire big league career with the team since 2019, has set the world alight in this year\u2019s MLB playoffs \u2013 leading Toronto to its first World Series appearance since 1993.\n <\/p>\n

\n The landmark run has come behind Guerrero Jr.\u2019s astounding batting<\/a>; he\u2019s gone .442 from the plate with 12 RBIs and six home runs this postseason, drawing him level with Jos\u00e9 Bautista and Joe Carter for the most homers in Blue Jays franchise postseason history<\/a>.\n <\/p>\n

\n And he has done it all in a single, magical October that has so far seen him be awarded the American League Championship Series (ALCS) MVP after the Blue Jays defeated the Seattle Mariners<\/a> in seven games to advance to the Fall Classic.\n <\/p>\n

\n Despite this month being legacy defining for the Montreal-born, five-time MLB All-Star, the Guerrero name is already firmly stamped in baseball\u2019s history books.\n <\/p>\n

\n His father, Baseball Hall of Famer Vladimir Guerrero Sr., was the 2004 AL MVP and a nine-time Major League All-Star who played 16 years in MLB with the Montreal Expos (1996-2003), Anaheim\/Los Angeles Angels (2004-2009), Texas Rangers (2010) and the Baltimore Orioles (2011).\n <\/p>\n

\n Although Guerrero Jr. is now on everyone\u2019s mind in Toronto, it wasn\u2019t his first foray into the baseball limelight in Canada. As a child, he was a regular<\/a> at the ballpark, often accompanying his dad on the field before games.\n <\/p>\n

\"Vladimir<\/p>\n

\n \u201cAnd from the time I was very young, I remember always imitating what my dad did on the field,\u201d Guerrero Jr. wrote for The Players Tribune.<\/a>\n <\/p>\n

\n The younger Guerrero detailed that he watched his father and tried to emulate him, even picking up on gameday routines.\n <\/p>\n

\n \u201cHe taped his feet before games \u2026 so I taped my feet before games.\n <\/p>\n

\n \u201cHe didn\u2019t wear batting gloves \u2026 so I didn\u2019t wear batting gloves.\n <\/p>\n

\n \u201cHe stood a certain way in the batter\u2019s box \u2026 so I took the same stance,\u201d he said.\n <\/p>\n

\n But now the roles are reversed, with his father watching on as the younger Guerrero adds to the family legacy and continues to light up the diamond.\n <\/p>\n

\n After his son was crowned ALCS MVP in a series where he went yard three times, the older Guerrero showed his support in an Instagram post<\/a> that read: \u201cI\u2019ve seen every sacrifice, every workout, every tear. Watching him become the ALCS MVP is the reward for all of it. You\u2019re great son!\u201d\n <\/p>\n

\n Despite all of his accolades, Guerrero Sr. never won a World Series, with his closest attempt coming as a designated hitter when he and the Rangers lost the 2010 Fall Classic in five games to the San Francisco Giants. He left MLB the following season to join the Dominican Major League.\n <\/p>\n

\"Vladimir<\/p>\n

\n \u201cMy personal goal is to win a World Series and give the ring to my dad,\u201d Guerrero Jr. said in an interview with Fox Sports<\/a> before the Blue Jays had clinched a World Series berth.\n <\/p>\n

\n That goal is now within reach after Toronto booked its place in the best-of-seven World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, with Game 1 set for Friday in Toronto.\n <\/p>\n

\n \u201cIt means a lot,\u201d Guerrero Jr. told CNN Sports<\/a>\u2019 Andy Scholes on media day.\n <\/p>\n

\n \u201cI was not even born when when (the Blue Jays) were in the World Series, you know, but to me, it\u2019s like bring bringing back and trying to win it all is something I always dream with.\n <\/p>\n

\n \u201cI know everybody here is gonna be 100% to trying to win it all.\u201d\n <\/p>\n

\n Blue Jays fans across Canada will hold their faith in Guerrero Jr. when he takes to the field, and that\u2019s something the Dominican-Canadian feels when he\u2019s out there.\n <\/p>\n

\n \u201cThey are the best fans ever,\u201d he said speaking to reporters on Thursday.\n <\/p>\n

\n \u201cThey always bring the energy. They are always there for us. It doesn\u2019t matter if we\u2019re losing by a lot, they cheer for you and that\u2019s for me why they\u2019re the best ever.\u201d\n <\/p>\n