Toronto — On Friday night at Rogers Centre, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. not only led the Blue Jays to a dominant performance, but also dedicated the victory to the grandmother who raised and inspired him to play baseball since his childhood.
The Blue Jays defeated the Baltimore Orioles 6-1, and Guerrero Jr. was at the center of the victory. He reached base five times, recorded three hits, added two walks, one of which was an intentional walk, and contributed a key RBI.
When asked about this special performance, Guerrero Jr. shared with red eyes:
“Every time I pick up the bat, I always think of my grandmother; she was the first person who told me I could do it. Tonight, I wanted to hit to show her that her belief was never in vain.”
Guerrero Jr.’s grandmother, known for cheering on her son, spent her youth at little league games, teaching Vlad his first moves and encouraging him through every challenge. Though quiet, she was the fire that never went out in Guerrero’s heart every time he stepped on the field.
The game saw the Blue Jays control the game from start to finish: the Orioles only scored one run in the third inning. But it was in the moments when the pressure was on that Guerrero Jr. shone. His RBI single in the eighth inning increased the lead, confirming the victory.
Immediately after the game, in the locker room, Guerrero Jr. kept quiet, holding back his emotions when talking about his grandmother:
“She always said ‘play like you dream,’ and today, my dream came true.”
Fans marked the moment in their own way: shirts that read “Abuela podrá ver esto” (She can see this), eyes that welled up in the stands, a long applause when Guerrero walked off the field after his home run.
Blue Jays Manager John Schneider couldn’t contain his pride:
“Vlad didn’t just play, he played for something bigger than himself — for family, for love, for memories. This game reminded us that baseball, sometimes, is where the best stories are told.”
When the night ended, no one could remember the exact statistics, but everyone felt the difference. This wasn’t just a 6-1 win; it was an emotional journey, a silent but profound tribute from a grandson to the grandmother who gave him wings to fly.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. turned and walked into the tunnel, bowing his head as if asking for silence from his grandmother in the sky — and the whole stadium cheered, as if to send a message: even though his grandmother was no longer with him, her spirit and love lived on in every hit Vlad Jr. made.
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