Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is a full-time ball player and part-time winger.
Before starting Saturday’s game between the Blue Jays and the Angels in Dunedin, Florida, Guerrero did so with Albert Pujols, still one of the most important names in baseball even in his later years. After the couple crashed and walked away, Guerrero turned around, knowing that a teammate would love to be introduced to the future Hall of Fame.
Guerrero pointed to Santiago Espinal and signaled to him. Pujols shook Espinal’s hand and slapped him hard on the shoulder. Spinal threw a smile from ear to ear.
The whole interaction lasted about 20 seconds, but it is clear that an experience that Espinal will never forget. Pujols, three-time winner of the National League MVP award, is one of the best players representing the Dominican Republic. And Espinal, just 27 games away from his MLB career, got his own special moment with his compatriot.
To think, Espinal had just been called up to the Blue Jays from the alternative training site on Saturday afternoon. And at night, he shook hands with one of the great moderns of baseball.