TORONTO – Perched in a suite on the 400 level alongside the right-field line at Rogers Centre, Vladimir Guerrero Sr. had a perfect bird’s-eye view of home plate on Friday night to watch his son, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., step into the box during the third inning of Game 1 of the World Series.
Once Junior’s hard ground ball on a 3-2 changeup from Dodgers starter Blake Snell got past shortstop Mookie Betts and into left field for his first career World Series knock, those surrounding Guerrero Sr. – a large group of around 30 friends and family members, many of whom donned No. 27 Guerrero Jr. Blue Jays jerseys – shrieked with elation and wildly jumped around in joy.
Senior, meanwhile, low key as always in a dark navy blue hoodie and blue jeans, calmly remained seated. Amid the madness, he carefully canvassed the entire stadium with his eyes, seemingly soaking in the adoration for his son from the frenzied Toronto faithful, before joining the round of applause with a huge smile across his face.
Almost 15 years ago to the day, Vladdy Sr. played Game 1 of his first and only World Series in 2010 with the Rangers while Vlad Jr. cheered him on from the stands. Now, the tables have turned. Vlad Sr. was looking out to the field in awe of the younger Guerrero taking part in his first Fall Classic.
“I feel very happy,” the elder Guerrero told MLB.com while struggling to contain the grin on his face. “My son is Canadian-born, and to see him here on this stage at 26 years old, I went to the World Series at 35, so I’m happy that 15 years later my son was able to get to the World Series much quicker.”
Guerrero Jr., who helped the Blue Jays take a 1-0 Series lead over Los Angeles by going 2-for-4 with a walk in an 11-4 victory, knows all too well the feeling of getting so close to the mountaintop only to fall short.
Long before he was doing his thing with the Blue Jays, Vladdy Jr. watched the original Vladdy – his dad – and the Rangers lose the 2010 World Series to the Giants in five games in the penultimate season of Senior’s storied Hall of Fame career. That heartbreak in the aftermath eventually led an 11-year-old Vladito to make a vow to his father.
“My dad never won one,” Guerrero Jr. said. “Since I was little, I’ve always said that if [I win a World Series], I’m going to give the ring to my dad. I’m going to say, ‘Dad, send me your ring size.’”
Guerrero Sr., who flew in from the Dominican Republic late Thursday night on the eve of Game 1, quickly shot down the idea of accepting any ring from his son.
Should the Blue Jays emerge with their first world championship since 1993, big Vlad’s only wish would be for Junior to take the ring to Don Gregorio, Senior’s small Dominican agricultural hometown located in Nizao County, to show off as a symbol of pride and inspiration.
“If he wins the World Series, he’s the one who would win it,” said Guerrero Sr. “The most important thing he can do is, in my hometown, Don Gregorio in Nizao, no player from there has won one yet. That would be the greatest thing, to bring a ring to that town.”
Win or lose, Vladdy Jr., the little boy who used to run amok all over the field at Montreal’s Olympic Stadium during his dad’s eight-year run with the Expos, is writing another chapter in the Guerrero family legacy. In addition to his father, his uncle, Wilton, played eight Major League seasons. Younger brother Pablo is a Minor Leaguer in the Rangers’ system. Cousin Gabriel, also in attendance on Friday night, played 14 games in the Majors with the Reds in 2018 and nine Minor League seasons.
Junior has filled his father’s shoes quite well to this point. With a résumé seven years into his big league career that includes five All-Star appearances, an All-Star Game MVP, two Silver Slugger Awards, an American League Championship Series MVP Award, a Gold Glove Award and a Home Run Derby title, the younger Guerrero may just end up as the family’s crown jewel when it’s all said and done.
“It’s something huge for our whole family,” Guerrero Jr. said. “I feel proud and grateful to have my family here with me.”