Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Blasts His Way Into the Spotlight

Toronto’s first baseman reminded everyone that Shohei Ohtani is not the only player having a dream season. Thanks to his towering home run, Guerrero was the All-Star Game’s M.V.P.

DENVER — From the moment he was born in 1999, the year of his father’s first All-Star selection, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. was bound to be noticed. When he signed with the Toronto Blue Jays at 16 years old, the spotlight burned brighter. “There was some hype around him, purely name-based,” said Chicago White Sox closer Liam Hendriks, who played for Toronto when Guerrero turned pro. “And then he came up and took batting practice — and at 16, that was something special.” On Tuesday night at Coors Field, Guerrero ascended from prodigy to fully formed superstar. With a towering homer and a run-scoring grounder, Guerrero won an award that eluded his Hall of Fame father: most valuable player of the All-Star Game.