BRONX, NY — To kick off the scoring in Game 3 of the American League Division Series Tuesday night, a Bronx postseason classic with the Yankees winning 9-6, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. unleashed an absolute moonshot to Toronto’s bullpen located in left-center field of Yankee Stadium to put the Blue Jays up 2-0.
The two-run first-inning blast off Carlos Rodón marked his third home run of this best of five ALDS vs. the Yankees, as the 26-year-old Dominican right-handed hitting sensation smashed two long balls over the weekend in Games 1 and 2 at the Rogers Centre—a solo homer on Saturday and game-breaking grand slam Sunday.
Not only has Guerrero Jr. delivered with his power in the batter’s box, leading Toronto to a 2-1 ALDS lead, but also on any pitch the five-time All-Star first baseman believes he can take advantage of—recording a .615/.600/1.308 slash line this series with an OPS of 1.908.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. diving head first into home plate safely during the third inning of Game 3 of the ALDS Tuesday night at Yankee Stadium – Image Credit: Bill Menzel/Latino Sports
In other words, and to simply put it, the Yankees cannot get Guerrero Jr. out. Across the series, he’s gone 8-13 with three home runs, eight RBI, one walk, 17 total bases and five runs scored.
An up-close eye-witness to Guerrero Jr.’s utter domination on the Yankees is none other than pinstripe icon Don Manningly, former manager of the Dodgers and Marlins, who is currently the bench coach of Toronto, an organization he’s played a coaching role in since the 2023 season.
Pinstripe icon and former MLB manager Don Mattingly joined the Blue Jays coaching staff following the 2022 MLB season – Image Credit: Bill Menzel/Latino Sports
“Vlad is a huge part of our club and when he’s going good, obviously, it’s a good sign for all of us,” he said Tuesday in an interview with Latino Sports hours before first pitch in the Bronx.
“What I’ve been able to see over the past three years is that the guy’s a good hitter and a good defensive player who’s getting better and better all the time.”
Mattingly, a former six-time All-Star first baseman, winning the AL MVP in 1985 and Gold Glove Award on nine separate occasions across a 14-year playing career, all in pinstripes, continued to praise the young face of the franchise in Guerrero Jr., which followed shortly after with the duo taking ground balls at first base together during Blue Jays infield pregame work.
405 career home runs and 10 Gold Gloves in one photo between Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (L) and Don Mattingly (R) – Image Credit: Hector Beauchamp/Latino Sports
“Toronto’s a different place because you don’t really represent just Toronto, you represent the whole country and Vlad always plays with a good personality,” Mattingly explained, referring to the impact Guerrero Jr.’s made on the organization, inking a 14-year/$500 million contract extension with the Blue Jays this past April.
“He reminds me of Rickey (Henderson) a little bit. He’s having fun out there, able to keep it light, and always has a great smile, but then he gets down to business. And Vlad’s just good for the game in general.
He’s good for our club and he’s growing as a leader within the clubhouse. He has always represented the country, himself, his family and the organization really well.”
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