Vladimir Guerrero Jr. continued his breakout season by making history at the MLB All-Star Game.
The 22-year-old first baseman became the youngest player to win the MLB All-Star Game’s Most Valuable Player honor as he powered the American League to a 5-2 win over the National League. The win extended the American League’s All-Star win streak to eight games. This ties the second-longest win streak in All-Star Game history when the NL won eight straight from 1963 to 1970. The longest All-Star win streak was when the National League won 11 straight from 1972 to 1982.
Guerrero made his All-Star Game debut in his third season with a 468-foot, solo homer to left field off the Brewers’ Corbin Burnes in the third inning. The home run extended the AL’s lead to 2-0.
Guerrero’s home run was the 200th home run hit in All-Star Game history. He became the second-youngest player to homer in the All-Star Game at 22 years and 119 days old. Johnny Bench is the youngest player to homer at 21 years and 228 days when he homered in 1969. Not only that, but Guerrero also joined the club of father-son combos to hit long balls in the Midsummer Classic. The elder Vladimir Guerrero knocked an All-Star Game homer in 2006. The pair are the third father-son combo to accomplish this feat after Bobby and Barry Bonds and the Griffeys.
In the fifth inning, the young star’s grounder to second brought home his Toronto teammate Teoscar Hernandez from third base for another RBI to increase the AL’s lead. For his efforts, Guerrero Jr. was named the All-Star MVP, surpassing Ken Griffey Jr. to become the youngest to earn the honor.
The first baseman is currently in an MVP breakout season. He is one of the favorites to win the MVP but faces competition from two-way star Shohei Ohtani who is also having a breakout season.
