It's a Vladdy affair: HOF dad throws first pitch to son

TORONTO -- Soon after Blue Jays fans lined up around the block to get their dual bobblehead featuring Vladimir Guerrero and Vladimir Guerrero Jr., the life-sized versions were on the field together.

Vlad Sr. was on hand to throw out the pitch to Vlad Jr. ahead of the Blue Jays’ noon ET start against the Rays, the first of two they were to play at Rogers Centre Saturday.

Dad skipped the first pitch, but Vlad Jr., like we’ve seen him do so many times since making his successful transition to first base, made the scoop to save the throw. The two posed for pictures while Vlad Sr. received an ovation from the fans, most of whom weren’t expecting to see both Guerreros.

The elder Guerrero actually finished his career with the Blue Jays’ organization in 2012, signing a Minor League deal at 37. Guerrero never joined the MLB club, but he played 12 games between Single-A Dunedin and Triple-A Buffalo at the time, batting .359 with four home runs, 12 RBIs and a 1.043 OPS.

Guerrero has been at Rogers Centre a handful of times since, including for his son’s debut on April 26, 2019. He has also made appearances down at the club’s Spring Training complex in Dunedin, Fla., as Vlad Jr. has grown into one of the game’s brightest stars.

Over 16 MLB seasons, Vlad Sr. hit 449 home runs, starring for the Montreal Expos for eight of those years. It was during those seasons that Vlad Jr. was born in Montreal, giving him Canadian citizenship. Vlad Sr. made it to nine All-Star Games, won the American League MVP Award in 2004 and was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in ‘18, so Junior still has some ground to cover.