I signed for $2,100 and made MLB Hall of Fame as Vlad the Impaler but my $500million son is even better
Vladimir Guerrero changed the landscape of Dominican baseball forever. In fact, the Hall of Fame slugger’s iconic No.2 is etched into the country itself after he literally carved it into a hill below a mansion he owns. Guerrero came from a humble background and took his chance with both handsGetty Guerrero and his brothers grew up playing with gloves made from milk cartons and used socks filled with plastic bags as balls. He didn’t get his first real glove until his older brother Eleazar — a minor leaguer — gave him one when he was 15. The Montreal Expos landed Guerrero as an unsigned amateur free agent for just $2,100 in 1993 and he made his debut three years later. His early years saw the future great criticized for being too aggressive, which stopped as he became famous as a bad-ball hitter and earned the nickname Vlad the Impaler after the Romanian ruler who inspired Dracula. Like the man he was named after, the 6ft 3in, 235lb outfielder struck fear into all those he faced. The difference being that he loved both wood and silver. Nine All-Star nods, eight Silver Slugger awards and an Atlantic League MVP followed in 16 seasons in MLB, with an impressive average of .318. In 2011, he surpassed Julio Franco as the all-time MLB leader for hits by a Dominican player — a record Adrian Beltre took in 2014. He was enshrined into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2018 but Guerrero’s impact on the game he loved was just getting started. In 2021, Guerrero and his son Vladimir Jr. became the second father-son duo to each hit 40 homers in a season during their careers, In 2025, Guerrero Jr. signed a 14-year, $500 million extension with the Toronto Blue Jays — over four times what his dad earned over his entire career ($129 million). GettyHe powered his way into the Hall of Fame and set his son up for success[/caption] GettyThe Blue Jays broke the bank to tie down Guerrero Jr.[/caption] “This is a monumental moment in franchise history. Vlad has been part of our Blue Jays family since he was 16 years old and has captured the heart of our city and country,” said Blue Jays president and CEO Mark Shapiro. “There are very few in the game today that can say they have played for more than two decades with the same team, and we are immensely grateful Blue Jays fans will get to see Vlad finish his career where it all began. “The name Vladimir Guerrero Jr. will forever be synonymous with the Toronto Blue Jays.” The massive deal smashed George Springer’s franchise record — a six-year, $150 million deal signed in 2021. More importantly, it continues one of baseball’s great dynasties. Guerrero Jr. is already a four-time All-Star and two-time Silver Slugger at 26 years old. GettyGuerrero Jr. is living up to the family name[/caption] View Tweet: https://t.co/xZRpfpAsch “I love our Blue Jays fans; they have supported me my whole career and made me feel appreciated every day,” he said after signing his bumper deal. “My family and I have a special connection to our second home in Toronto, and I feel fortunate to carry on my dad’s legacy and represent an entire country. “I am very proud to wear the maple leaf and to be part of an organization with the same goal — to bring World Series championships back to Canada.” Now it is time to break new ground for the rising star. Guerrero Sr. led the Texas Rangers to the World Series in 2010. His son has not made it yet but the 6ft, 245lb power hitter has time on his side and his own legacy to forge. Perhaps one day his number will end up on a hill.
Vladimir Guerrero changed the landscape of Dominican baseball forever.
In fact, the Hall of Fame slugger’s iconic No.2 is etched into the country itself after he literally carved it into a hill below a mansion he owns.
Guerrero and his brothers grew up playing with gloves made from milk cartons and used socks filled with plastic bags as balls.
He didn’t get his first real glove until his older brother Eleazar — a minor leaguer — gave him one when he was 15.
The Montreal Expos landed Guerrero as an unsigned amateur free agent for just $2,100 in 1993 and he made his debut three years later.
His early years saw the future great criticized for being too aggressive, which stopped as he became famous as a bad-ball hitter and earned the nickname Vlad the Impaler after the Romanian ruler who inspired Dracula.
Like the man he was named after, the 6ft 3in, 235lb outfielder struck fear into all those he faced. The difference being that he loved both wood and silver.
Nine All-Star nods, eight Silver Slugger awards and an Atlantic League MVP followed in 16 seasons in MLB, with an impressive average of .318.
In 2011, he surpassed Julio Franco as the all-time MLB leader for hits by a Dominican player — a record Adrian Beltre took in 2014.
He was enshrined into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2018 but Guerrero’s impact on the game he loved was just getting started.
In 2021, Guerrero and his son Vladimir Jr. became the second father-son duo to each hit 40 homers in a season during their careers,
In 2025, Guerrero Jr. signed a 14-year, $500 million extension with the Toronto Blue Jays — over four times what his dad earned over his entire career ($129 million).
“This is a monumental moment in franchise history. Vlad has been part of our Blue Jays family since he was 16 years old and has captured the heart of our city and country,” said Blue Jays president and CEO Mark Shapiro.
“There are very few in the game today that can say they have played for more than two decades with the same team, and we are immensely grateful Blue Jays fans will get to see Vlad finish his career where it all began.
“The name Vladimir Guerrero Jr. will forever be synonymous with the Toronto Blue Jays.”
The massive deal smashed George Springer’s franchise record — a six-year, $150 million deal signed in 2021.
More importantly, it continues one of baseball’s great dynasties.
Guerrero Jr. is already a four-time All-Star and two-time Silver Slugger at 26 years old.
“I love our Blue Jays fans; they have supported me my whole career and made me feel appreciated every day,” he said after signing his bumper deal.
“My family and I have a special connection to our second home in Toronto, and I feel fortunate to carry on my dad’s legacy and represent an entire country.
“I am very proud to wear the maple leaf and to be part of an organization with the same goal — to bring World Series championships back to Canada.”
Now it is time to break new ground for the rising star.
Guerrero Sr. led the Texas Rangers to the World Series in 2010.
His son has not made it yet but the 6ft, 245lb power hitter has time on his side and his own legacy to forge. Perhaps one day his number will end up on a hill.
