Vladimir Guerrero Jr. makes history with All-Star Game MVP nod originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. made a historic Midsummer Classic debut on Tuesday night.
The 22-year-old Toronto Blue Jays slugger became the youngest All-Star Game MVP in MLB history as the American League beat the National League 5-2 at Coors Field in Denver.
Guerrero Jr. is also the first Blue Jay to ever win the award.
Vladdy Jr. got the start at first base and took Milwaukee Brewers right-hander Corbin Burnes deep in his second at-bat. With the 468-foot solo shot, he became the second-youngest player to hit an All-Star Game home run in leauge history.
Feeling out of the loop? We'll catch you up on the Chicago news you need to know. Sign up for the weekly> Chicago Catch-Up newsletter.
While Hall of Famer Vladimir Guerrero Sr. never took home All-Star Game MVP honors, he did go yard in a Midsummer Classic. The Guerreros are the third father-son combo to homer in the All-Star Game.
Vladdy Jr.'s first at-bat went down as a groundout to second in the box score, but it might have been the best moment of the night. Guerrero Jr. lined a screamer that almost hit NL starter Max Scherzer in the head. After being thrown out at first, Guerrero Jr. gave the Washington Nationals ace a hug.
The third-year pro picked up a second RBI on a groundout in the fifth, finishing the game 1-for-3 with two RBIs.
All-Star Game MVP might not be the only piece of hardware Guerrero Jr. wins this year. Heck, it might not even be the only MVP trophy he wins.
Guerrero Jr. currently leads all of MLB in RBIs (73), batting average (.332) and OPS (1.089). He's tied for second in home runs with San Diego Padres shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. at 28, trailing Los Angeles Angles two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani and his 33 dingers.
