First baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has been a bright spot in what has turned into a disappointing season for a Toronto Blue Jays team aiming to reach the playoffs for a third year in a row. He is hitting .293 with 17 home runs and leads the Blue Jays in a variety of categories, including runs (50), hits (113), RBIs (60) and slugging percentage (.479) through Tuesday’s games.
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Guerrero was voted an All-Star for the fourth consecutive season and started at first base for the victorious American League team. In Toronto’s first series after the All-Star break, he picked up where he had left off, hitting a home run in losses to the Detroit Tigers on Friday and Saturday.
Another day, ANOTHER #PLAKATA đź’Ą pic.twitter.com/rvV3T55hXG
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) July 20, 2024
Guerrero went deep again in a 4-2 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays on Tuesday, his fourth home run in five games.
FOUR homers in five games đź’Ą #PLAKATA pic.twitter.com/PSj0EF6Mgn
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) July 24, 2024
He’s on pace to hit at least 25 home runs and drive in more than 90 runs for a fourth consecutive season. He is one of nine players with at least 110 hits, 15 home runs and 60 RBIs this season.
The Blue Jays’ 45-55 record and Guerrero’s production has led to speculation that he could be dealt to another team before Tuesday’s trade deadline. Toronto will have to decide whether to keep its core — led by Guerrero and shortstop Bo Bichette — together or make a major trade and retool the roster for next season.
In the midst of the uncertainty surrounding his future, Guerrero will keep relying on his relationship with God and put everything in the Lord’s hands.
“For me, Christ is everything,” he said in an interview with CBN Sports during All-Star media availability. “I read the Bible before every game, when I wake up. I pray and read the Bible before bed.”
The 25-year-old has regularly praised God during his career. In 2021, he became the youngest All-Star Game MVP in MLB history and gave thanks to the Lord in his postgame press conference.
“Dreams come true,” he said. “Since I was a kid I’ve always been thinking about this moment. I’ve worked all my life, very hard, and thank God it’s happening now.”
According to an ESPN.com story published in 2021, every time he steps to the plate, Guerrero writes “DIOS” in the dirt, which is the Spanish word for “God.” He often references his faith and Bible verses on social media as well; his bios on X and Instagram have Psalm 121 listed in them. The passage starts with two well-known verses: “I lift up my eyes to the mountains — where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.”
Most recently, Guerrero thanked God in a social media post celebrating another All-Star Game experience.
View this post on Instagram
“Making a dream come true is all we were taught to do,” he wrote. “Thank you GOD and EVERYONE for supporting Me, My Family, and My Career!”
The Blue Jays face the Rays on Wednesday night in their second of six straight games at home. First pitch is at 7:07 p.m. ET.
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