Vladimir Guerrero Jr. #27 of the Toronto Blue Jays celebrates defeating the Los Angeles Angels 3-1 at Rogers Centre on August 24, 2024 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Photo by Cole Burston/Getty Images

At the Toronto Blue Jays spring training home of Dunedin, Fla., almost nine years ago, a teenaged prospect walked into the front reception area of the team’s minor-league complex to meet a reporter. Article content

He had medium-length dreadlocks poking out from under his Jays cap, didn’t look the least bit capable of growing a beard and was a little on the chubby side. But he was already one of the most fearsome would-be sluggers in the sport. Article content

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“Hello,” said Vladimir Guerrero Jr., in rehearsed English. “Nice to meet you.”

The Blue Jay

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