Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is a full-time ball player and a part-time winger.
Before the start of Saturday’s game between the Blue Jays and Angels in Dunedin, Florida, Guerrero tracked it down with Albert Pujols, even in his later years, still one of the biggest baseball names. After the pair fist and walk away, Guerrero turns back – knowing that a teammate of his would love to be introduced to the future Hall of Famer.
Guerrero points to Santiago Espinal and gestures to him. Pujols shakes Espinal’s hand and gives him a firm pat on the shoulder. Espinal flashes a smile from ear to ear.
The whole interaction lasted about 20 seconds, but it is clear that Espinal will never forget. Pujols, a three-time winner of the National League MVP award, is one of the greatest players to represent the Dominican Republic. And Espinal, just 27 games into his MLB career, received his own special moment with his compatriot.
To think, Espinal was just called up Saturday afternoon from the alternative training ground to the Blue Jays. And by nightfall, he was shaking hands with one of the modern sizes of baseball.