Vladimir Guerrero Jr. last year became the rare prospect to become a household name beyond his own fan base when he smashed 20home runs acro s four minor league levels as a 19-year-old. The whole league sensedhowspecial the Blue Jays prospect and son of Hall D.J. Chark Jerseys of Fame outfielder Vladimir Guerrero was.
After a lengthy wait,his MLB debut took place Friday against the A’s. With the baseball world’s attention fixedon him, he came through with an important ninth-inning double in an entertaining Toronto victory.
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Guerrero’s father watchedfrom a luxury box at Rogers Centre as his son started his career with a flourish.
Here are the things that stood out most from Guerrero’s memorable debut:
5. Blue Jays fans (and Guerrero’s father)provide warm reception
From supportive signs to a standing ovation before Guerrero’s first at-bat, the Rogers Centre crowd made the atmosphere electric.
The announced attendance was 28,688, much morethan Toronto’s average of 19,773 and the second-largest gathering of the season behind Opening Day.
Welcome to the show, .
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This is very Canada.
Sporting News MLB (@sn_mlb) 4. Eric Sogard temporarilysteals show with leadoff home DeShon Elliott Jerseys run
Before the game, we joked about Sogard being the real center of attention in Toronto’s lineup. He then started the bottom of the first with a home run off Mike Fiers his second home run in a week. He has hit just 12 home runs in his career.
It probably won’t be long before Guerrero pa ses Sogard on the home run leaderboard.
Here’s a picture of a must-watch superstar and Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
Sporting News MLB (@sn_mlb) 3. Chad Pinder robs Guerrero, camera angle fools fans
It appeared for a moment that Guerrero’s second career at-bat would provide his first career home run.
The infielder’s big swing and the TV camera panning way up toward the stands created an illusion of the ball leaving the yard, when, in fact, it tracked to the wall the whole way. Pinder, a utility player who was manning left field Friday, leapt to keep Guerrero from extra bases.
Blue Jays fans would have to wait five more innings for the rookie’s first hit.
NOT TODAY.Chad Pinder robs Vlad Jr. of extra bases.
Sporting Dick LeBeau Jerseys News MLB (@sn_mlb) 2. Guerrero delivers clutch ninth-inning double
Leading off the ninth inning in a 2-2 game, Guerrero finally broke through, poking a Yusmeiro Petit pitch down the right-field line and lumbering into second base for a standup double.
His proud father beamed in the luxury box and fired off some very wholesome tweets abouthis son.
Vladimir Guerrero Sr. seems like the nicest dad.
Sporting News MLB (@sn_mlb) 1. Brandon Drury gives Guerrero winning start
After Toronto pinch-ran for Guerrero on second base, Drury drilled a walkoff home run, allowing Guerrero to rush onto the field from the dugout to celebrate with Marvin Jones Jr. Jerseys his teammates.
It was a near-perfect ending to his first taste of MLB action.
VLAD JR. IS UNDEFEATED.
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