Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and the Toronto Blue Jays still have a few games left before the All-Star Game break, but baseball fans are already brimming with the thought of seeing “Junior” back in home run contention next Monday.
To add to the excitement, Guerrero Jr. let the Jays win Tuesday night in Chicago thanks to a two-run long ball hit in the eighth inning in the 4-3 win over the White Sox.
The show he put on in his only attendance at the event in 2019 has also remained in the annals. Guerrero Jr., then only a 20-year-old green recruit, is proud to be nicknamed “Mister 91.”
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Despite being beaten in the finals by Pete Alonso of the New York Mets, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. had actually stunned the baseball world by hitting no fewer than 91 homers at Cleveland’s progressive field. The previous record was 61, set by Giancarlo Stanton in 2016.
AFP
Remember, Guerrero Jr. started the day strong with 29 long balls in the first round and then there was an epic three-overtime semifinal against Joc Pederson. With 69 laps already on the clock, he added 22 in the final, one less than Alonso. Since then, the Mets player has won again in 2021, last year the Washington Nationals’ Juan Soto was the winner at Dodger Stadium.
This time, the stars are gathered at Seattle’s T-Mobile Park, where the fence is less than 380 feet away at left center field. Guerrero son might enjoy it, just like amateurs.
A third entry
After the circuit competition, the traditional Star Match will take place on Tuesday, July 11th. Guerrero Jr. will make his third appearance while three other Jays players have been selected: Bo Bichette, Whit Merrifield and pitcher Kevin Gausman.
“I only need six more All-Star Game appearances to match my dad,” Guerrero Jr. was jokingly quoted as saying on the Blue Jays’ website. When that happens it will be fantastic. And if I can do it seven more times, it will be even better.
Former Expos player Vladimir Guerrero actually attended nine All-Star Games from 1999-2002, including four straight in the Montreal jersey. It is also interesting to remember that his father won the San Francisco home run contest in 2007 while representing the Los Angeles Angels. It’s a feat that Guerrero Jr. still eludes despite the spectacle in 2019. At least for now.
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