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Vladimir Guerrero Jr. of the Toronto Blue Jays earns fourth all-star nod, following in his father's footsteps
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    Vladimir Guerrero Jr. of the Toronto Blue Jays earns fourth all-star nod, following in his father’s footsteps

    TORONTO — Vladimir Guerrero Jr. still has ways to go to catch up with his dad’s number of all-star appearances, but the slugger is happy that he’s making progress.

    It was announced on Wednesday evening that the Toronto Blue Jays first baseman has been voted in as an American League starter in this year’s All-Star Game and when asked about what the achievement means to him, he brought up his Hall-of-Fame father, Vladimir Guerrero Sr. 

    “One more accomplishment,” Guerrero Jr. said through interpreter Hector Lebron. “And, of course, I’m getting closer to my dad, who has [nine all-star appearances]. So, I’m getting close to him. That’s my goal.”

    Guerrero Jr. beat out Baltimore Orioles first baseman and fellow finalist Ryan Mountcastle to earn the starting nod. When he takes his position at Globe Life Field in Texas during the July 16 contest, it will mark the fourth career all-star appearance for Guerrero Jr.

    All things considered, that’s quite impressive considering he’s just 25 years old. 

    “He’s at the point where he’s kind of cemented himself as one of the premier players in the league,” said Blue Jays manager John Schneider. “His whole body of work since he’s been here, the way he plays, his personality, how he’s viewed around the league really makes him a year-in, year-out candidate to be an all-star starter or reserve.”

    Guerrero Jr. won all-star MVP honours in 2021 when he clubbed a monster solo home run and collected another RBI. He counts that as his favourite Midsummer Classic memory, even ahead of his 2023 Home Run Derby victory.

    When asked if he’s considering defending that crown, Guerrero Jr. smiled and quickly answered, “No.”

    “To be honest with you, right now I’m very focused on trying to help my team win some games and that’s something that might [make me] tired. So, I wanted to rest a little bit. But maybe in the future, I’ll be back again.”

    Guerrero Jr. has been enjoying a power resurgence that’s certainly been a boon to the Blue Jays as the club fights to stay alive in the AL wild-card picture. The slugger clubbed eight home runs and posted a .962 OPS in June and, on Monday, he was named AL Player of the Week after hitting .500 (13-for-26) with four homers, five doubles and 17 RBIs over a six-game span.

    Overall on the season, he’s batting .298/.376/.472 with 13 homers, 18 doubles and a 142 OPS-plus.

    Guerrero Jr. said that even amidst a slow start he was confident he’d be able to turn his season around.

    “I never doubted myself,” he said. “If you do that, you’re not going to accomplish [anything].”

    Schneider, meanwhile, says he’s seen similarities between Guerrero Jr.’s epic 2021 season and the current campaign.

    “His swing, mechanically, is pretty close to where it was then,” said the manager. “And being able to cover pitches that aren’t in the middle of the zone, which is hard to do. [He’s] using the whole field. Really impressed with him. I think the biggest thing is taking his walks like he did in 2021.

    “There’s a lot of good going on right now.”

    When reflecting on Guerrero Jr.’s progression as an MLB player, Schneider highlighted the fact that the first baseman has always been forced to deal with heightened expectations because of his father.

    Guerrero Jr., though, wouldn’t want it any other way.

    Asked if his father was aware of Guerrero Jr.’s goal to best his number of all-star appearances, the Blue Jays slugger promptly adjusted the questioner’s wording.

    “Not just in the all-star game,” said Guerrero Jr. “Everything. Overall, everything. I want to be like him in everything.”

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    Vladimir Guerrero Jr., the young star of the Toronto Blue Jays, has earned his fourth all-star nod in just his third full season in the Major Leagues. This accomplishment is particularly special for Guerrero Jr. as he follows in the footsteps of his father, Hall of Famer Vladimir Guerrero Sr., who was a nine-time all-star during his illustrious career.

    Guerrero Jr., who is just 22 years old, has quickly established himself as one of the top players in the game. He is currently leading the American League in batting average and on-base percentage, and is among the league leaders in home runs and runs batted in. His impressive performance on the field has not gone unnoticed, as he has been selected to represent the Blue Jays in the all-star game for the fourth consecutive year.

    For Guerrero Jr., being selected to the all-star game is not just a personal achievement, but also a tribute to his father’s legacy. Guerrero Sr. was known for his powerful bat and strong arm in the outfield, and his son has shown that he has inherited those same skills. The younger Guerrero has already been compared to his father in terms of his hitting ability and overall talent, and he has proven that he is more than capable of living up to the family name.

    In addition to his on-field success, Guerrero Jr. has also become a fan favorite in Toronto and across the league. His infectious smile and humble demeanor have endeared him to fans of all ages, and he has quickly become one of the most popular players in baseball. His success on the field and his likable personality have made him a role model for young players and a source of pride for his family and fans.

    As Guerrero Jr. prepares to take the field for the all-star game, he will undoubtedly be looking to make his mark and continue to build on his impressive resume. With his talent, work ethic, and determination, there is no doubt that he will continue to be a force to be reckoned with in the Major Leagues for years to come. And as he continues to follow in his father’s footsteps, there is no telling how high he can soar in his career.