Blue Jays’ Vladimir Guerrero Jr. arrives to ALCS Game 7 in Auston Matthews jersey

by

Toronto Blue Jays superstar Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is the King of the City and he’s completely unbothered by any notion of a civic sporting curse.

Guerrero wore an Auston Matthews jersey ahead of Game 7 against the Seattle Mariners, with a berth to the World Series on the line. Toronto hasn’t been to the World Series since 1993, where it won its second of back-to-back titles. It’s an older jersey, as Guerrero Jr. is wearing a Matthews jersey from his personal collection, with the assistant captain patch affixed.

There were many Toronto sports fans online chastising Guerrero for his choice, and from this corner of the internet, we simply don’t want to hear it. Vladdy is the most unbothered man in the universe at this juncture, with a .452 batting average, .532 on-base percentage and astronomical 1.532 OPS, to go along with six home runs during the playoffs. Any notion of a sports curse that could be brought on by wearing a Maple Leafs uniform ahead of Game 7 simply doesn’t register for the Blue Jays’ first baseman.

While the Maple Leafs have lost numerous Game 7s, since last winning the Stanley Cup in Game 7, the idea that some pathology should extend to the city’s other franchises is straight up nonsense. On a miracle, last-second buzzer-beater, Kawhi Leonard propelled the Toronto Raptors past the Philadelphia 76ers in the second round of their playoff series. Leonard then steered the Raptors to their first-ever NBA title, winning NBA Finals MVP and the heart of an entire nation in his lone season with the club.

Vladdy and the Blue Jays are presented with an opportunity to do something similar on Monday night, hosting the Mariners in what should be an absolutely frenzied environment at the Rogers Centre. And as the man of the hour said himself, following Sunday’s Game 6 victory: I’m born ready!

PRESENTED BY 6IX INNING STRETCH PODCAST

Love baseball? Don’t miss The 6ix Inning Stretch — the brand new podcast from The Nation Network, presented by Betway. Hosted by Toronto sports reporter Lindsay Dunn and 3-time MLB All-Star Whit Merrifield, this weekly show delivers insider stories, unfiltered Jays talk, player interviews, and expert analysis from around the majors. New episodes drop every Wednesday — listen on your favourite podcast platform or watch on the Bluejaysnation YouTube channel.

 

Leave a Comment