Vladimir Guerrero Jr. brings Toronto Blue Jays tradition to World Baseball Classic
Photo credit: https://www.mlb.com/world-baseball-classic/roster/dominican-republic
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. brought a Toronto Blue Jays tradition to Miami to motivate his Dominican teammates in the 2026 World Baseball Classic.
The MLB regular season hasn't started yet, but Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is already giving Toronto Blue Jays fans a reminder of last fall's memorable playoff run.
Guerrero took the field in Miami on Friday night as part of the Dominican Republic roster at the World Baseball Classic.
Even in their opening game, the energy around the Dominican squad was electric.
The game was tied 3-3 against Nicaragua in the bottom of the sixth inning when Junior Caminero launched a home run that sparked an offensive surge for the Dominican Republic.
IT'S GONE 😤 JUNIOR CAMINERO IS AN ELECTRIC FACTORY ⚡️
As the Tampa Bay Rays prospect rounded the bases, Blue Jays fans watching may have experienced a sense of déjà vu.
Waiting at the dugout was Guerrero, holding up a custom home run jacket for his teammate.
According to USA Today's Gabe Lacques, it was Guerrero who brought the jacket with him to Miami for the tournament.
While the jacket may not have been quite as flashy as the one used by the Blue Jays during the season, it was still a special piece.
The coat featured customized details, including the names and nicknames of the players on the team.
Team Dominican Republic's homer jacket is getting some good use tonight 🔥
DR home run jacket a hit with teammates
Following Caminero's homer, the jacket quickly became a popular accessory in the Dominican dugout.
The team broke the game wide open in the eighth inning when Julio Rodriguez of the Seattle Mariners and Oneil Cruz of the Pittsburgh Pirates each blasted home runs at loanDepot Park.
ONEIL CRUZ WITH A NO-DOUBT MOONSHOT IN HIS FIRST EVER WBC AT BAT 116.8 MPH exit velocity, 450 feet, HR in 30/30 ballparks
Guerrero didn't hit a home run himself, but he still made an impact, finishing the game with two RBIs and scoring once.
Toronto's home run jacket has had an on-and-off presence with the team over the years, but it made a return during the Blue Jays' exciting postseason run last October.
Given how meaningful that stretch was for the team, it's no surprise that the 26-year-old star wanted to carry the tradition with him while representing his country.
Guerrero and the Dominican Republic will return to action Sunday when they face the Netherlands.
The knockout rounds of the World Baseball Classic are set to begin on Friday, March 13.
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