At home in Toronto: Blue Jays' Vladimir Guerrero Jr sheds light on his home life with daughter Vlaimel
Photo credit: https://www.mlb.com/
Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Toronto Blue Jays opens up about his home life in Toronto on his eight year old daughter Vlaimel's birthday.
MLB.com's Keegan Matheson was recently invited to Vladimir Guerrero Jr's home in Toronto to shed light on the Blue Jays superstar's family life in Canada.
It's Vlaimel's birthday. Guerrero's daughter is turning 8 today, and on the table inside sits a floral cake bursting with every shape and color writes Matheson.
There are balloons with «Princess» written across them, a big, purple bear and every candy you could imagine, mixed in with the purple streamers and purple confetti.
Then comes the star of the show, Vlaimel, in her purple dress with a purple bow in her hair.
Her mother, Nathalie, is smiling right behind her, getting everyone ready for the big day. Vladdy's moment is coming later tonight, but this one is Vlaimel's.
Her father is sitting down by the pool, waiting for her. They're going to make friendship bracelets together.
Vladdy Jr. and his daughter, Vlaimel, made friendship bracelets and did the most wholesome interview on her birthday 🥹
And of course, Vladdy hit a home run that night after Vlaimel threw out the first pitch ❤️ #PlayersWeekend
And of course, Vladdy hit a home run that night after Vlaimel threw out the first pitch ❤️ #PlayersWeekend
It's so quiet here. Look around, and you wouldn't know the address ended in «Toronto» at all, writes Matheson
You can't see another house, no condo towers or cranes, only the trees and Guerrero's family all around him. Tonight, a million people will watch him, but this is where the other side of Guerrero lives.
Vlad Jr credits his daughter Vlaimel for helping him with his English, and she is the biggest reason why he chose to stay in Toronto
Vladdy has always credited Vlaimel for helping him with his English, which they speak at home with one another. They're in this together.
«One of the main reasons that I signed my contract in Toronto, it was for Vlaimel,» Guerrero says now. «Of course, it was for my entire family, but she loves the city. She loves it. She loves the fans. She's always happy to be around [the stadium], and she's always happy there. She's one of the main reasons that I'm here in Toronto.»
Toronto doesn't just love Guerrero because of how far he can hit a baseball. This city loves Guerrero because he loves it back.
«The thing I always say about the fans in Toronto is that they are very respectful. They're respectful fans,» Guerrero says. «For example, when I go out for dinner, they see me, but they wait. They'll wait for me to finish what I'm doing in the restaurant, so I get to finish my dinner. They'll wait for me, then they'll come to me, and they always say please. That's very important to me, that respect they show me, and of course I'll always give the same back to them.»
This side of Guerrero makes the version we see on TV each night make so much more sense, writes Matheson.
He can't be that version all day, every day. It can crush a person. Guerrero needs balance. He needs a quiet backyard, surrounded by trees and all the people he loves, this silent hideaway on the outskirts of the city. He needs Vlaimel.
When Guerrero catches the ceremonial first pitch from his daughter, he pops up from behind home plate beaming. They have their own special handshake. They rehearsed it in the backyard a dozen times this afternoon.
"Every time I see her, I feel love in my heart," Vladimir Guerrero Jr. says of his daughter, Vlaimel. "I thank God I have my daughter with me all the time."
Source: Keegan Matheson MLB.com
'When I see her, my day changes': Vlad Jr. spills on life as a girl dad
TRENDING NOW
