Friday, May 10, 2019
Vladdy Junior's Remarkable Entrance
Vladimir Guerrerro Jr.
Whenever a baseball
prospect, particularly a teenager, works his way up the ladder to the
Major Leagues, there will always questions as to his ability to play
the game at the highest level. “Nay sayers” are just about
everywhere. They use expressions that have been circulated for more
than a hundred years: “Can't field” or “Can't hit a curve
ball”, or “Doesn't have all the tools”.
The jury may be out
momentarily, but last weekend, the top prospect in baseball, Vladimir
Guerrero Jr., showed the game that he belongs. There is a heap of
expectation surrounding the young lad, especially since the Blue Jays
cleaned house prior to the beginning of the season. Guerrero has been
groomed, patiently, and his time had come.
He officially become a
big league player once he has 130 at-bats, or has 45 days of
pre-September service time in the big leagues. That should happen by
early June.
On two occasions last
weekend, he almost tore the cover off the ball. He was replaced on
the base paths by a speedier runner. He cleanly fielded all balls hit
in his direction. While playing third base, he delivered the ball
crisply to first base to get the outs.
On many occasions,
through our television sets, we the viewers were taken to the box at
Rogers Stadium in Toronto to meet the family. Naturally, Guerrero's
number one fan is his father, Vladdy Senior. The man beamed from ear
to ear, watching his son in action, playing the game he loved. There
were other family members present, including his grandmother.
Vladimir Guerrero the
elder was a phenomenal baseball player. He wore his Montreal Expos
uniform with great pride, and showed the way for younger players. His
son was born in Montreal; hence, he has Canadian citizenship. I
caught one of his interviews from Toronto. He used an interpreter to
go back and forth in Spanish. I was a little puzzled by this, as he
has been around baseball for quite some time.
Vladdy The Elder has
been inducted into the baseball Hall of Fame. That speaks for itself
regarding his baseball career. Most pundits agree that Vladdy never
saw a pitch he didn't like. He had several base hits swinging wildly
at pitches that had bounced to home plate. He played 9 years for the
Expos, 5 with the Angels, and one each for the Rangers and the
Orioles.
Expectations for his
son run high, very high. He is considered to be THE top prospect in
the game. Up to this point in the season. there have been many empty
seats under the dome in Toronto. Vladdy Junior will fill plenty of
them with his spectacular play.
He certainly is an
ambassador for the game. At a recent Toronto Raptors' basketball
game, he was presented with a Raptors' jersey with his name and his
baseball number on it. He smiled brilliantly, thanking the crowd. He
appears to be a kid, having a great time. Quite rare, in the game
nowadays.
There are other young
players ready to take their rightful place on the diamond. Fernando
Tatis has a son who will light it up for the Padres, in due time. Bo
Bichette will take his place with the Jays, once he gets off the
injured list.
The Jays are now on one
of those dreaded West Coast road trips, not usually the best of times
for the blue birds. Time for a little late night television. Don't
call until noon, thanks.
James Hurst
April29, 2019.
# posted by James Hurst @ 10:11 AM 
