BORN READY

He grew up idolizing his baseball star dad. Now, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is the heart and soul of the Blue Jays

- REPORT: AMY BIELBY

In 2002, Vladimir “Vladdy” Guerrero Jr. hit the field at Montreal’s Olympic Stadium for some light training. Wearing a baggy Expos uniform and slightly-too-big glove, he looked at ease and in his element. Taking grounders with confidence and showing off an impressive arm, he joked with the athletes, charming them with his smile and antics – the hallmarks of a true ballplayer. And he was three years old.

Vladdy was born in Montreal in 1999 with the love of baseball in his blood. His father, Dominican-born Vladimir Guerrero Sr., hit the majors with the now-defunct Expos in 1996, winning the hearts of Canadian baseball fans. Vladdy Jr. would tag along to practices, observing and learning every step of the way.

“From the time I was very young, I remember always imitating what my dad did on the field,” 18-year-old Vladdy wrote in a 2017 essay for The Players’ Tribune. “I just kind of watched him and tried to do the same things I saw him do. I even picked up on the things he did before games...He taped his feet before games...so I taped my feet before games. He didn’t wear batting gloves...so I didn’t wear batting gloves. He stood a certain way in the batter's box... so I took the same stance.”