Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Tips His Cap to Yoshinobu Yamamoto Following 2025 World Series Loss Against Dodgers

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and the Toronto Blue Jays lost the World Series in 2025 after suffering back-to-back defeats in Games 6 and 7.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Tips His Cap to Yoshinobu Yamamoto Following 2025 World Series Loss Against Dodgers

Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (Image via Fox News/Bleacher Report)

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and the Toronto Blue Jays suffered a major heartbreak last year as they lost in Game 7 of the World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers. In a recent interview, the 4-time MLB All-Star looked back at the Fall Classic and tipped his cap to Yoshinobu Yamamoto.

After winning Game 1, Guerrero Jr. and his teammates went up against Yamamoto in Game 2. In his previous start Yamamoto had gone the distance as he threw a complete game against the Milwaukee Brewers in Game 2 of the National League Championship Series (NLCS).

The Japanese international repeated this. In Game 2 of the World Series, he gave up 4 hits and picked up 8 strikeouts. The Dodgers ended up winning 5-1 as Yamamoto threw his second successive complete game.

With the Dodgers then going 3-2 down after 5 games, Yamamoto started the all-important Game 6 in Toronto. While he did not throw a complete game again, he once again dominated the opposition, throwing 96 pitches in 6 innings.

The Blue Jays lost that game, which forced Game 7. The hosts went 3-0 up as Bo Bichette smashed a 3-run home run against Shohei Ohtani.

The Dodgers came back from this with home runs from Max Muncy and from an unlikely source in Miguel Rojas, tying the game at 4-4 in the 9th inning. A day after appearing in Game 6, Yamamoto made a relief appearance in Game 7.

The 27-year-old threw 2.2 innings in Game 7, giving up just one hit to Guerrero Jr. in the 11th inning. He would close out the game for the Dodgers in the 11th inning as they emerged as 5-4 winners, thanks to a home run from Will Smith in the top of the frame.

The pitcher was later named the MVP of the World Series.

In a recent interview with Yancen Pujols, Guerrero Jr. was asked about the challenges of facing Ohtani. While the 26-year-old claimed that there was not much trouble in facing the 4-time MVP, he admitted that Yamamoto was “nasty” during the series.

Shohei Ohtani wasn’t that tough to hit. Yamamoto, though? Yeah, that dude was nasty. Straight up MVP! I tip my cap. He was painting the corners low, dotting the knees, throwing strikes to everybody and dominating. Ohtani? Not as hard.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. said via translation from Master Flip

Guerrero Jr. also had a strong performance in the World Series. The Blue Jays star batted with a .333 average in 7 games and had 10 hits, including 2 home runs. Had his side won, he would have likely been named the MVP of the World Series instead of Yamamoto.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. opens up about his emotional state following World Series loss

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and the Toronto Blue Jays were almost there last year. On some other day, the Canadian side might have won it all had things gone their way. In the end, they suffered the loss after being 4-2 up at one stage.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (Image via Fox News)

A home run from Max Muncy in the 8th inning, followed by a home run in the 9th inning with 2 outs from Miguel Rojas, tied the game at 4-4. In the bottom of the frame, the Blue Jays came close twice.

Rojas first made a great defensive play and threw out Isiah Kiner-Falefa at home plate for the 2nd out. Ernie Clement would then fly out as Andy Pages managed to hold on to the ball after colliding with Enrique Hernandez in the outfield.

In the 11th inning, Guerrero Jr. kept his team’s hopes alive with a double. Following a sacrifice bunt, they moved him to third base. Following a walk, the Blue Jays grounded out into a double play and lost the Fall Classic.

Guerrero Jr. was left in tears after this. A video captured the first baseman being left devastated in the dugout.

In the interview with Yancen Pujols, he admitted breaking down in the clubhouse following this emotional loss.

The real breakdown happened inside the clubhouse. I cried like a baby in there. It was gut wrenching to walk in and see everyone I’d spent the last seven months with, teammates, coaches, even the bat boys, all crying together… We were all crying in unity, sharing that same pain.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. said via translation from Master Flip

This was the Blue Jays first loss in the World Series in their history. They previously went back-to-back in 1992 and 1993 in their first two trips to the Fall Classic.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. named 5th-best first baseman by MLB Network

Ahead of the new season, the MLB Network once again released its top-10 rankings in every position. In this, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. was named the 5th-best first baseman in the league.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (Image via TSN)

According to the rankings released, Freddie Freeman of the Los Angeles Dodgers took first place. Behind him were Nick Kurtz of the Athletics, Matt Olson of the Atlanta Braves and Bryce Harper of the Philadelphia Phillies. After all these names, Guerrero Jr.’s name came in 5th place.

This ranking did not sit well with the fans. The MLB Network would later release a fan vote list. In this, Guerrero Jr. was named the No.1 first baseman in MLB.

The aim of the Blue Jays is now to do one better than last year and get their hands on the Commissioner’s Trophy. For now, Guerrero Jr. and his teammates will turn their attention to Spring Training before suiting up for the World Baseball Classic.

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