Guerrero will take another swing at Home Run Derby
Global News
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has listened to Toronto Blue Jays fans — and his family — and is returning to Major League Baseball's home-run derby.
TORONTO – Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has listened to Toronto Blue Jays fans — and his family — and is returning to Major League Baseball’s home-run derby.
Guerrero will compete in the slugging exhibition on July 10 at T-Mobile Park in Seattle. It will be Guerrero’s second time competing in the event after he set a record with 91 home runs as a rookie in 2019.
“My family, they’ve been asking me for the last two years to participate,” said Guerrero after taking batting practice at Toronto’s Rogers Centre on Thursday. “They asked me again this year and I said ‘O.K., if you guys want me to go, I’ll be there this year.”
Guerrero ultimately lost 23-22 to New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso in the derby final, however. Seattle Mariners star Julio Rodriguez is the only other confirmed participant in the event so far.
The 24-year-old Blue Jays first baseman said he’s not worried about strategy or who he might face in the three-round, single-elimination tournament.
“No plan at all,” said Guerrero through translator Hector Lebron. “I’m just going to go in there and hit home runs, man.
“Just enjoy and then just hit homers.”
John Schneider, then the Blue Jays’ catching coach, pitched to Guerrero at the 2019 derby. Now promoted a few times up to Toronto’s manager, Schneider has again agreed to throw to Guerrero.
