Vladimir Guerrero Jr., the star first baseman of the Toronto Blue Jays, won the 2023 MLB All-Star Home Run Derby last night in Seattle.
After a four-year absence from the event, Guerrero takes home his first Derby title with a win over Rays outfielder Randy Arozarena in the final. Guerrero Jr. and his Hall of Fame father Vladimir Guerrero Sr., who won it 16 years ago, are the first father-son duo to be Home Run Derby champions. Guerrero hit a total of 72 homers to claim the Home Run Derby trophy, a chain with a spinning pendant and a $1 million prize.
In the process, a prospective three-time winner was eliminated, with Mets first baseman Pete Alonso booted in the first round after Seatttle center fielder Julio Rodriguez hit a whopping 41 home runs, the most in a single Derby round ever. J-Rod, however, was unable to secure the hometown coronation, losing to the Guerrero in the second round.
Vladdy took out Dodgers superstar Mookie Betts in the first round, Rodriguez in the second, and then – about 5 minutes later – he hit a record 24 homers in the finals, which was 3 more than Arozarena could muster.