Toronto is already over Kawhi because of what Vladimir Guerrero Jr. just did
A new king of the North was crowned last night. Toronto sports fans were quick to claim they were over Kawhi Leonard and replaced him with a fresh potential all-star.
Vlad Jr. taking out TO’s Kawhi sadness on Progressive Field #homerunderby2019
— Rob Rossi (@Real_RobRossi) July 9, 2019
Toronto Blue Jays’ Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit a derby record with 91 home runs in Cleveland last night.
Kawhi left so that Vlad Jr. could become the new King of the North. I don’t make the rules.
— The Leafs IMO (@TheLeafsIMO) July 9, 2019
The MLB Home Run Derby is an annual contest held during the All-Star break.
Kawhi Leonard captured Toronto’s imagination for a season. I’d like to think Vlad Junior will capture our imagination for ten times that many. #HomeRunDerby pic.twitter.com/uGXHiCriTj
— Tom Harrington (@cbctom) July 9, 2019
Guerrero blasted a record 29 home runs in the first round and an astonishing 40 in the second round in an epic battle against Joc Pedersen of the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Despite that Guerrero Jr. didn’t actually win the contest, falling to fellow rookie Pete Alonso of the New York Mets in the finals.
Nevertheless, Vlad Jr. was was the unnamed champion everyone was talking about. Especially, Toronto sports fans desperate for a new hero.
Kawhi was the sacrificial lamb for Vlad Jr.
— Sandro Rubin (@Insider6ix) July 9, 2019
Guerrero Jr., 20, is the youngest player to ever compete in the derby. He beat Josh Hamilton’s record of 28 single-round homers, set in 2008, with 29 and then hit 29 more home runs when he was up against Dodgers’ Joc Pederson.
Within the last year Toronto sports fans have watched Kawhi Leonard play basketball and Vladdy Jr. hit a baseball. Gifts from the sporting Gods.
— Sid Seixeiro (@Sid_Seixeiro) July 9, 2019
Pederson hit just as many, which pushed them into a tiebreaker, and then a second and third round. Finally, Guerrero Jr. beat Pederson two to one when each player was allowed just three swings.
We’re watching HISTORY! #PLAKATA 💥| #LetsGoBlueJays pic.twitter.com/1TEKh6G4YU
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) July 9, 2019
In the final competition, an exhausted Guerrero Jr. hit 22 home runs against the Mets’ Pete Alonso, who then topped his score and won the derby by one homer.
Toronto sports fans be like... pic.twitter.com/cJ5OYbj2BX
— #43 The Dream (@WeTheNorth29) July 9, 2019
But everyone was still talking about Guerrero Jr., who gave Toronto hope that maybe it won’t be another 26 years before one of our sports teams has another superstar.
