TORONTO postera! Vladimir Guerrero Jr. celebrated Quebec’s National Day in his own way by hitting a home run in the Blue Jays’ win over the Oakland Athletics on Saturday, June 24 in Toronto.
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He met a few hours before the start of this game and had kindly agreed to play the game by shouting “Bonjour Québec!” into the camera.
Guerrero Jr. headed to the Jays’ locker room after he finished his batting warm-up. Apparently he took advantage of this to throw a lot of balls onto the outfield stands. Poster over poster.
Because if he was born in Montreal in 1999, when his famous father wore the colors of the Expos, in Junior first that Dominican blood flows through his veins. He doesn’t use the word “circuit”… home run, yes. postera? He actively promotes it.
Never without Tito
Despite it all, his bond with Quebec remains undeniable. Guerrero Jr. was informed of the request for an interview with a Montreal journalist and accepted the request with an open smile. The interview in the Jays dugout was conducted in English and Spanish with interpreter Hector “Tito” Lebron present.
“Vlad speaks English very well, but for interviews with journalists he turns to me to make sure he uses the right words. It keeps him from being misquoted,” explains Lebron.
For audition, Guerrero’s son also wore a T-shirt with a Dominican flag and the words “Mr. 91”. After much research, we concluded that this moniker is his and refers to the 91 long balls he hit during the home run contest in Cleveland in 2019 on the sidelines of the All-Star Game.
Putin lover
So how can we demonstrate a genuine bond with Quebec?
“My favorite Canadian dish is Putin,” he said, laughing. I was very young when I left Montreal [4 ans, NDLR]so I have very few memories, but I can assure you that I am a Putin lover.
Even when the Expos caps or jerseys get lost between those of the Blue Jays in the crowd at Rogers Center, Guerrero Jr. admits he thinks they’re “always cool” every time he sees them.
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“The Expos remain the first team that offered my father the opportunity to play in Major League Baseball,” he noted. It obviously evokes emotions in me, especially since I was born in Montreal.
He harbors just as much affection for his own destiny, which is directly tied to Toronto.
“I was young when I signed my first contract with the Blue Jays,” he recalls, who received a $3.9 million contract bonus in July 2015 when he was just 16 years old. I thank God for giving me the opportunity to pursue my dream and play professional baseball. I’m also happy that it’s for the Blue Jays in Canada where I was born.
true blessing
Even in Toronto, Junior stays true to his Dominican roots while embracing the culinary talents of his paternal grandmother, Altagracia Alvino. She also cooks for the other Jays players and sometimes even for some Dominican Republic opponents.
“It’s a blessing that my grandmother still cooks for me and the team,” said Guerrero Jr.
The Big Question: Do you prefer your grandma’s food or Putin?
“My grandmother’s dishes, no doubt, but I’ll say it again: my favorite dish in Canada really is Putin.”
Vladimir. cheese fries. Strange combination.
- After failing to hit a home run in his first 31 home games of the season, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. made it twice in as many days on Friday and Saturday at the Rogers Center against the Oakland Athletics.
- The Blue Jays organization will officially celebrate Canada Day on Saturday, July 1st in Toronto. Straw hats will also be distributed at the entrance for this future game against the Boston Red Sox.
Junior with the Canadian team one day?
TORONTO — Though technically part of his job with the Blue Jays, interpreter Hector “Tito” Lebron will never speak for Vladimir Guerrero Jr. However, he wouldn’t be too surprised if Junior were to one day represent Canada at an international competition, he says.
“Obviously his first choice is the Dominican Republic, but Guerrero Jr. could also wear the colors of the Canadian team proudly,” he said.
Interpreters Hector “Tito” Lebron and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Benoit Rioux
Indeed, for the recent World Baseball Classic, the famous baseball player chose to progress with the Dominicans. However, a minor injury to his right knee prevented him from participating in the tournament.
In the uniform of Canada at the end of your career? Who knows?
A former teammate from Quebec
Tito, 45, is quick to use the word “humble” when referring to Guerrero’s son. He loves working with the young man of 24 years. In his case, Lebron is from Puerto Rico. He played for a number of years in the minor leagues, including from 1997 to 1999, with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays organization. It was around the time that Quebecer Pierre-Luc Laforest was playing third base in his pro debut before being converted to receiver. Lebron has very fond memories, particularly from Level A with the Charleston RiverDogs, where a certain Charlie Motoyo was also the manager.
“Because of Laforest, whose name had a lowercase ‘a’ and a capital ‘F’ on the back of the jersey [LaForest]the team had engraved my name with a small “e” and a capital “B”. [LeBron]. It was a mistake, but I kept it that way, I thought it was beautiful,” Tito recalled with amusement.