Vladimir Guerrero Jr. initiated a media session by expressing regret to Toronto Blue Jays supporters. Guerrero made an unusual move by requesting to address the press four hours before the Toronto-Cincinnati Reds game to address his remarks in a Spanish-language podcast published on Wednesday. “I am here because I feel the need to clarify my recent comments and apologize to everyone,” Guerrero conveyed through interpreter Hector Lebron. “I genuinely believe that my fans and teammates deserve an apology from me, which is why I am here. Additionally, I want to reassure everyone that I will continue working hard to live up to my contract.”
The 27-year-old first baseman faced heavy criticism for his statements following an interview with Veronica Batista of Noticias Telemicro that gained traction on social media. In the interview, Guerrero mentioned that his $500 million contract over 14 years was based on his past achievements, not his projected future performance. “The compensation I received wasn’t for what I will achieve in the future. It was for what I have already accomplished,” Guerrero stated in Spanish during the podcast. “They didn’t pay me for hitting 40 home runs every season. They compensated me for my past achievements. People are confused about this, but I understand their perspective. Sometimes I question myself too: They gave me all this money, and here I am not meeting expectations. I am trying.”
Guerrero stood by his comments during interviews in Baltimore on Wednesday after the Blue Jays suffered two defeats in a doubleheader, ending their playoff hopes and concluding a disappointing season following their World Series appearance the previous year. Reflecting on the controversy during the team’s day off on Thursday, Guerrero decided to extend his apologies to his teammates, coaches, and fans. “Upon reflection, I realized that my previous comments did not reflect my true intentions,” Guerrero admitted. “I believe that I owe an apology to everyone, especially my fans, and that’s why I am here today.”
Blue Jays manager John Schneider confirmed that Guerrero had apologized to his teammates in a closed meeting and had additional one-on-one discussions with Schneider himself. “On the field, he is a lively personality and an exceptional player, but sometimes he may be misunderstood. He is one of the best teammates I have seen,” Schneider stated. “He consistently puts in the effort, but there can be misinterpretations that arise. He might be misunderstood at times, possibly due to his contract and other factors.”
Among those Guerrero spoke with was his father, Hall of Famer Vladimir Guerrero, who advised him on his actions. “He pointed out my mistake and emphasized the importance of offering my fans an apology,” Guerrero shared. Guerrero acknowledged that it had been a disappointing season, acknowledging that his performance – a .263 batting average, nine home runs, and 56 RBIs – was subpar for the first year of his lengthy contract. “I take full responsibility for my performance. I accept that this season was not up to standard,” Guerrero remarked, refusing to attribute his struggles to ongoing back problems. “My primary focus now is on the offseason, where I plan to work tirelessly to return stronger and prove the worth of my contract.”