The Toronto Blue Jays are headed back to the World Series for the first time since 1993, and star first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is a major reason why. The 26-year-old slugger was named MVP of the American League Championship Series after batting .385 with three home runs and three RBIs across seven games.
>> Subscribe to Sports Spectrum Magazine for more stories where sports and faith connect <<
George Springer’s go-ahead three-run home run in the seventh inning of Game 7 propelled the Blue Jays to a come-from-behind, 4-3 win over the Seattle Mariners, and Guerrero was noticeably emotional during the postgame celebration. He said he knew what it meant to him personally but also the Blue Jays fanbase and the entire country of Canada.
“We worked for this. We worked so hard,” Guerrero told Fox Sports after the game. “We did everything we could to win, and when you believe in God and pray for this, something like that happens. You’ve got to give the glory to God.”
After two batters reached base in the seventh, Springer came up to bat to keep the rally going. He told Fox after the game that he was just trying to get the runner from third home, but he connected for his 23rd career postseason home run to give the Blue Jays the lead and eventually the win.
With their season on the brink, Guerrero went into the clubhouse that inning and prayed.
“I went to my knees and I said to God, ‘If it’s something for us, I’m going to give You the glory. If not, I’m going to give You the glory no matter what,'” he told Fox. “And thank God, He listened to me, and in that inning George came in and hit a home run.”
It’s been a long road back to the top for the Blue Jays. Though they’ve been flushed with young talent for years, they had yet to break through in the tough AL East. Just a year ago, they finished in last place. But from the first day of spring training this season, Guerrero sensed something different.
“Everybody was doing early work. Everybody was grinding. Nobody complained,” he told Fox. “When you’ve got a team like that and nobody complains and they come and play with their hearts for the fanbase and the city, you’ve got to believe in this team.”
In April, Guerrero signed a 14-year, $500-million contract extension to stay with the Blue Jays. It was a massive commitment from the organization to one of the game’s brightest young stars. He said it feels good to immediately reward the organization for their belief in him.
“But like I said, the job’s not finished,” he told Fox. “We’ve got to go get four more.”
View this post on Instagram
Former MLB star David Ortiz, who is a part of Fox’s commentary crew, noted that Guerrero’s family and faith in God have always been central to who he is as a player and a person, and he asked Guerrero about that during the postgame interview.
“For us, God is great. God is important in my life,” Guerrero said. “We prayed for this moment. I don’t have words to explain how I feel right now. Thank God we did it, and we’re going to go for four more.”
Prior to the 2024 All-Star Game, Guerrero told CBN Sports, “For me, Jesus Christ is everything. I read the Bible before every game, when I wake up. I pray and read the Bible before bed.”
It’s a rhythm that’s shaped his life since childhood. In 2021, when he became the youngest All-Star Game MVP in MLB history, he stood on the national stage and thanked the Lord.
“Dreams come true,” he said then. “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.”
Faith is more than words for Guerrero — it’s also a visible part of his game. According to a 2021 ESPN.com story, every time he steps to the plate, he writes “DIOS” — the Spanish word for “God” — in the dirt. His social media bios on X and Instagram list Psalm 121, which begins, “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.”
Now, he’s ready to make his dream of winning a World Series come true.
“We’re trying to go to the World Series and win it all,” he told Fox. “We prayed for this. The country is behind us, and we’re trying to bring the World Series back to Toronto.”
Game 1 of the World Series between the Blue Jays and the Los Angeles Dodgers begins Friday in Toronto at 8 p.m. ET.
>> Do you know Christ personally? Learn how you can commit your life to Him. <<
RELATED STORIES:
— Dodgers outfielder Alex Call keeps his hope, trust ‘in the Lord’
— Vladimir Guerrero knows ‘Christ is everything’ amid trade rumors
— Triple-Crown contender Vladimir Guerrero writes ‘Dios’ in dirt
— Vladimir Guerrero declares God the MVP after making ASG history
— SS PODCAST: Savannah Bananas star Coach RAC on faith, fame
