Vladi Jr. takes over Toronto, young Blue Jays, Nats make history
By Tab Bamford
Youth was served this weekend all over Major League Baseball. Vladimir Guerrero Jr.‘s debut stole the headlines, but there were other notable moments for youngsters.
Junior’s Big Weekend
The Blue Jays introduced the new face of the franchise.
Bright lights. Special night. Enter, @vladdyjr27. #LetsGoBlueJays pic.twitter.com/gilWHL7rwc
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) April 27, 2019
How big is Vladi, Jr., in Toronto? He’s already taking pictures with babies before games.
Hitting baseballs, holding babies ?@VladdyJr27 | #LetsGoBlueJays pic.twitter.com/OTqDIQGteS
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) April 27, 2019
After the Blue Jays game on Saturday he showed up at the Raptors game. Predictably he got a standing ovation there, too.
The future is now.
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) April 28, 2019
Welcome, @vladdyjr27!#WeTheNorth | #LetsGoBlueJays pic.twitter.com/QAKALM0TjD
The Raptors are even using GIFs of him to celebrate winning playoff games.
Ball game. Raps win! pic.twitter.com/H2elgXFZft
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) April 28, 2019
Vladi didn’t break any records on the field, but he did online. Guerrero’s TOPPS Now card from his debut broke the record for most cards sold, sprinting past Shohei Ohtani’s mark by more than 2,000. TOPPS Now cards are available online for only 24 hours at Topps.com. We’re fairly confident this isn’t the last time Vladi collectibles will be popular this year.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr,. already breaking records. The @BlueJays rookie debut #TOPPSNOW card is the all-time best selling card in the program. pic.twitter.com/4BUUgzVBE7
— Topps (@Topps) April 29, 2019
Toronto’s Youth Movement
Vladi wasn’t the only baby Blue Jay making a mark. Toronto’s 19-year-old rookie pitcher Elvis Luciano became the youngest pitcher since 1984 to win a game in the big leagues.
Congrats on your first @MLB win, Elvis Luciano!
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) April 28, 2019
His milestones:
- FIRST player born in the 2000s to get a win
- Youngest pitcher in #BlueJays HISTORY to get a win pic.twitter.com/i9vukirSGg
Washington’s baby bombers
Toronto wasn’t the only place kids were showing out. The Washington Nationals made their mark in the history books with three home runs from players under the age of 22. Bryce who?
The #Nats are the 1st team in @MLB history to have 3 players under 22 homer in the same game.
— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) April 28, 2019
- Juan Soto
- Victor Robles
- Carter Kieboom@EliasSports // #OnePursuit pic.twitter.com/nCI271lPWl
Chicago’s K Man
In Chicago, Reynaldo López struck out a career-high 14 batters in six innings in one of the more dominant performances of the season.
Fan Post of the Day
Apparently Vladi Jr. wasn’t the only person making their first appearance at a major league game in Toronto this weekend. This young fan will cherish his first game for a long time, too.
It's his first #BlueJays game too! pic.twitter.com/wUMxAtHlCD
— LaLaLatte (@captainlatte) April 26, 2019
Pro Post of the Day
Where’s Javier Báez from? Oh, that’s right…
OTD
2017 – Carlos Gómez of the Rangers hits for the cycle against the Angels.
2014 – The Seattle Mariners defeat the Yankees 6-3 in New York. In his first game at Yankee Stadium since leaving as a free agent, Robinson Canó contributes an RBI to the winning cause.
2011 – Carlos Santana‘s walk-off grand slam finishes Cleveland’s 9-5 victory over the Tigers. The Indians improved to 17-8, the best start in the club’s 110-year history.
2010 – Magglio Ordonez hits the 300th home run of his career.
2006 – Magglio Ordóñez hits the 200th home run of his career.
2006 – Albert Pujols sets a major league record with his 14th home run in April.
Happy Birthday!
Cesar Carrillo (b. 1984)
Tony Armas (b. 1978)
Erasmo Ramirez (b. 1976)
Rafael Betancourt (b. 1975)
Héctor Mercado (b. 1974)
Luis Aparicio (b. 1934)
Featured Image: Toronto Blue Jays Twitter