Blue Jays’ Vladimir Guerrero Jr. lobbies for dad’s Hall of Fame election

The Tampa Rays trade third baseman, and greatest ever franchise player in Evan Longoria to the Giants, plus the Phillies introduce Carlos Santana.

Toronto Blue Jays mega prospect Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has modelled himself after his famous father on the field.

Vladimir Guerrero Sr. taped his feet before games, something his son still does to this day.

Junior even tries to emulate his dad’s batting stance and, for a long time, adopted the no-batting-gloves policy.

But their similarities don’t just stay on the diamond. When Guerrero Sr. found out earlier this year that he fell just short in baseball’s Hall of Fame voting, he wasn’t miffed.

“He didn’t let it bother him. So neither did I,” Guerrero Jr. wrote in a Players’ Tribune piece published Thursday. “We both just stayed positive and were thankful for all the good things we have in our lives.”

Expos star Vladimir Guerrero and his son are pictured at Montreal’s Olympic Stadium in 2002. Vladimir Jr. was born in the city. (Paul Chiasson/AP)

Guerrero Sr. became a star during his eight years with the Montreal Expos and later in his career captured an American League MVP award with the Los Angeles Angels. He retired with a .318/.379/.553 slash line to go with 449 home runs and nine all-star selections.

He fell just 15 votes shy of a Hall election in the 2017 ballot, receiving 71.7 per cent, however there’s a strong possibility Guerrero Sr. could get to the 75 per cent threshold needed for admission in 2018.

Results will be announced Jan. 24.

“This time around … you know what? It would be really great if he got in this year,” Guerrero Jr. wrote. “It wouldn’t make me any more proud of him, or make him seem more important to me. It’s more simple than that.

“I want to see him make it in because he deserves it — he put up the numbers, and he played the game the right way. But I also want to see him get in because I know it would make him so happy. That he’d really appreciate the honor, and be so thankful to have been recognized as one of the game’s all-time greats.”

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