While it has been hot in Montreal recently, it is hard to mistake the city for a tropical paradise.
Well, at least you would think so.
Someone should probably buy a map for the graphics team at ESPN because after Vladimir Guerrero Jr. won Monday night’s MLB Home Run Derby, the sports network displayed that he was the second “Cuban-born” champion after Yoenis Cespedes.
It’s a nice stat and all, except for the fact that Vladdy was born in Montreal while his father, Vlad Guerrero – a former Derby champ himself – was playing for the Expos.
Ironically, Vladdy was the second player from his birth nation to win the contest after Justin Morneau, of New Westminister, B.C., took home the title in 2008 as a member of the Minnesota Twins.
The Blue Jays slugger hit a total of 72 home runs over three rounds on Monday night, defeating the Dodgers’ Mookie Betts 26-11 and Seattle’s Julio Rodriguez 21-20 before taking down Tampa Bay Rays’ Randy Arozarena in the final 25-23.
Hopefully the win will provide a wakeup call for Guerrero Jr.’s missing power – the first baseman has hit just 13 home runs this season after slugging 48 in 2021 and 32 last year.