Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. rubbed New York Yankees fans the wrong way with how he celebrated a home run during Saturday’s game.
Fans directed a loud chorus of boos at Guerrero after he pointed into the stands on more than one occasion and did his customary hop between second and shortstop. He made a shushing gesture as he rounded third.
VLADDY GOES YARD! 💥 pic.twitter.com/zOYdhK5IdA
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) April 7, 2024
“It’s something that I do everywhere regardless of the situation,” Guerrero said through an interpreter following the Blue Jays’ 9-8 loss, according to Ronald Blum of The Associated Press.
“Just enjoy the moment,” he added. “Everybody does different things, like the jump and everything else and the hop, and that’s what I do, and that’s what I like.”
Guerrero drew Yankees fans’ ire in 2021 for a similar celebration after hitting a homer off Corey Kluber.
“That’s kind of his MO around third all the time,” Blue Jays manager John Schneider said. “I’ve said it before: They don’t boo nobodies here in New York.”
Guerrero has also said on numerous occasions he’d never play for the Yankees.
“I like to play in New York, I like to kill the Yankees,” he said in 2021. “I would never sign with the Yankees, not even dead.”
In April 2023, the 25-year-old admitted his feelings toward the Yankees stem from a personal matter but wouldn’t clarify further.