Vladdy Jr. Named Youngest Ever All-Star Game MVP

Major League Baseball’s All-Star festivities have officially come to a close, but not without some fireworks – both figuratively and physically.

On Monday evening, eight of the league’s ‘top hitters’ participated in the Home Run Derby – an annual spectacle highlighting strength and hitter power in a head-to-head ‘most homers wins’ challenge – before Tuesday saw the remaining 2021 all-stars compete in a low-scoring All-Star Game from Coors Field, 5,200 feet above sea level.

The Home Run Derby saw Pete Alonso repeat as the champ – who took home $1 million for the second-straight year, earning moreover two single-day events than in his two-year career earnings from the New York Mets ($1.47 million through 2021).

“I’m the best power hitter on the planet,” the first baseman said on Tuesday evening following the contest. “Being able to showcase that and put on a fun display on for the fans is truly a dream come true for me.”

Easily taking care of baseball’s home-run leader Shohei Ohtani, before one-upping Juan Soto and Trey Mancini in the final, Alonso now has the chance to become just the second player ever to win three Home Run Derbies (Ken Griffey Jr.)

“My parents let me stay up past my bedtime to watch this,” Alonso said of his childhood. “That was one of the few nights of the year I got to stay up past of my bedtime and watch. Watch incredible feats you don’t see in a regular baseball game. To be able to do back to back is really special to me.”

One surprising omission from Monday’s spectacle was Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero – who lost by a single home run in the final back in 2019.

Guerrero, however, did make his presence felt on Tuesday, helping his American League teammates to a 5-2 victory, the eighth-straight win by the A.L. over its National League opponents.

The phrase “helping his teammates” is actually a huge understatement. Over the course of the night, Vladdy went on to set a number of All-Star Game records, while mashing the game’s opening homer before taking home the MVP award following the final out.

“I honestly just want to thank my dad,” Guerrero Jr. told FOX post-game. “This is for you.”

Vlad Guerrero Sr., who has certainly made his presence felt online, tweeted a simple ‘eyes’ emoji during the game.

Following a 111.1 MPH groundout headed directly toward Max Scherzer on the mound in the first inning, Guerrero brought out the long ball in the third inning, smashing a 110.2 MPH moonshot deep to left-centre field off Corbin Burnes. The ball carried 468 feet, destroying the previous All-Star Game record of 410 feet (Kris Bryant in 2016) before nearly landing in the concourse.

“Dreams come true,” Vladdy added. “Since I was a kid, I was thinking about this moment. I’ve worked all my life very hard and a lot of it is happening right now.”

Although the 49,184 fans in attendance typically cheer for the Colorado Rockies, a long-standing ovation occurred for the 22-year-old first baseman from Canada’s lone team following his new career-long blast (465 feet on May 16, 2021). Blue Jays teammates Bo Bichette and Teoscar Hernandez greeted him with hugs upon his return to the dugout, before even competitors weighed in on his solo dinger.