The $500m slugger who is taking Canada to the World Series

In a moment charged with emotion, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., the Toronto Blue Jays’ star first baseman, fought back tears as his team secured a historic victory over the Seattle Mariners, advancing to the World Series for the first time in 32 years. The Canadian-born, Dominican Republic-raised slugger, who recently signed a record-breaking $500 million contract—the third-largest in Major League Baseball (MLB) history—has been instrumental in Toronto’s postseason success, earning the Most Valuable Player (MVP) title in the division series. Guerrero Jr., affectionately known as ‘Vladdy Jr,’ has vowed to bring the championship ring home to his father, Vladimir Guerrero Sr., a baseball Hall of Famer who never won a World Series during his illustrious career. ‘My personal goal is to win a World Series and give the ring to my dad,’ Guerrero Jr. said in an interview with Fox Sports and Sports Illustrated. The Blue Jays are set to face the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 1 of the World Series on Friday, in a highly anticipated match-up between the defending champions and the underdogs. The Dodgers are led by Japanese superstar Shohei Ohtani, whose $700 million deal made headlines worldwide, while the Blue Jays are anchored by Guerrero Jr., whose $500 million contract earlier this year symbolized his commitment to Canada’s sole MLB team. Guerrero Jr.’s journey to this moment has been years in the making, with fans celebrating his sportsmanship, humility, and dedication to Toronto both on and off the field. As the Blue Jays prepare for the World Series, the entire country has rallied behind them, with fans flooding the streets in celebration and even interrupting hockey games to announce the team’s victory. The emotional snapshot of Guerrero Jr. fighting back tears after the win against Seattle has gone viral, capturing the culmination of a father-son dream and a journey that has inspired a nation.