The Blue Jays got off to a quick start in a must-win game on Saturday afternoon against the Orioles, with MVP candidate Vladimir Guerrero, Jr. hitting a two-run homer in the first inning. Here’s a look:
Man, that wasn’t cheap. It was a majestic, 450-foot shot. Of course, we could say that about a large number of his 47 home runs this season. Yes, that was number 47 on the season. His Hall of Fame father’s career high was 44. It’s uncharted Vlad Guerrero territory!
It’s also tied for the most ever, given Guerrero, Jr.’s age. If we sort for only players in history in their age-22 season or younger, here’s the all-time leaderboard.
1. Eddie Mathews, 47, 1953
1. Vladimir Guerrero, Jr., 47, 2021
3. Joe DiMaggio, 46, 1937
4. Johnny Bench, 45, 1970
5. Juan Gonzalez, 43, 1995
6. Fernando Tatis, Jr., 42, 2021
6. Bryce Harper, 42, 2015
6. Alex Rodriguez, 42, 1998
6. Mel Ott, 42, 1929
Guerrero entered Saturday hitting .310/.400/.592 (167 OPS+). He was leading the AL in runs, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, OPS, OPS+, total bases and runs scored. He’s got a shot to win the batting title and he’s now just one back of Salvador Perez for the home run crown.
After a somewhat disappointing first two seasons — and that’s only because the expectations were so ridiculously high — Guerrero has had the breakout season so many dreamed on when watching him tear through the minors. In fact, even with those sky-high expectations, it’s fair to say that he’s been better this season than we thought he could be.
Due to the existence of a guy who hits, runs and pitches like an All-Star, Guerrero won’t be winning the 2021 AL MVP, in all likelihood, but it’s still been a season to remember, especially at his age.
Guerrero and his teammates, though, still have a chance at the postseason. The Blue Jays entered Saturday one game behind the Red Sox for the second AL wild-card spot and opened up a five-run lead against Baltimore as Teoscar Hernández and George Springer also went deep.
