‘We were born ready. We stay ready,’ the slugger posted to Instagram
Article content
How much did the wild ride — and especially the brilliant highs — of the thrilling 2025 Blue Jays season mean to superstar Vladimir Guerrero Jr.?
Advertisement 2
Article content
After a brilliant World Series run ended in heart-wrenching defeat, the face of a suddenly resurgent Jays franchise made his feelings known in an impassioned social media post, reflecting on a life-changing season for the 26-year-old.
Article content
Article content
“I don’t even know what to say,” Guerrero wrote in a weekend Instagram post that was essentially a thank-you letter to his fans. “A year that made me appreciate times that didn’t make sense. A year I will frame forever.”
Your Midday Sun
Article content
Advertisement 3
Article content
MEMORABLE YEAR FROM THE START
Indeed, it was a life- and career-changing year for Guerrero from the start.
It began with the uncertainty of his contract situation, one that could have wound up in him being a free agent today. Instead, he signed a record 14-year, US$500-million extension — the richest contract in Canadian sports history — that has the power and the potential to make him a Blue Jay for life.
After an uneven regular season, he put together a postseason for the ages, setting a number franchise playoff records as the Jays were just two outs away from winning the World Series in a thrilling seven-game showdown with the defending champion Los Angeles Dodgers.
“I knew you would be special when I knew I would be a Blue Jay forever,” Guerrero wrote. “To my family, fans, teammates, Blue Jays organization and Major League Baseball, the above wouldn’t be possible without all of you. We were born ready. We stay ready.”
Advertisement 4
Article content
Vladdy feted in Dominican
Guerrero has long maintained his love and appreciation for fans in Toronto and regularly cites it as a reason he wanted to remain “a Blue Jay for life.” He’s also passionate about his home in the Dominican Republic, where he was feted when he returned to Don Gregorio last week.
Perched atop a black Cadillac Escalade, the Montreal-born Guerrero was celebrated by those from the hometown where he was raised and began what would become an all-star career.
Advertisement 5
Article content
The postseason was where Guerrero truly shone, being named the ALCS MVP following the thrilling seven-game win over the Mariners and becoming just the third player in team history to capture the honour. His eight home runs were the most in a postseason career for a Jays player, a run in which he hit .397 over 18 games.
During the regular season, after signing that contract that will keep him with the Jays through the 2039 season, Guerrero was named an American League All Star for the fifth consecutive time, just the third Jays player to have such an extended streak.
“It was really impactful in a significant way,” general manager Ross Atkins said at his season-ending press conference when asked of Guerrero’s performance in the playoffs. “It was incredible to watch the athleticism on every aspect of the game. The at-bats spoke for themselves and he was an absolute force offensively and a game changer as a defender.
“I can’t imagine he could have made a better, bigger impact.”
rlongley@postmedia.com
Article content
