Twitter Reaction: Guerrero Jr. electrifies crowd at Home Run Derby

Toronto Blue Jays rookie Vladimir Guerrero Jr. broke the single round record and overall record for home runs in the Home Run Derby but it wasn’t enough to top Pete Alonso of the New York Mets.

Shannon Coulter July 8, 2019, 9:12 PM

When the 2019 Home Run Derby line-up was announced, there were mixed reactions from baseball fans seeing Vladimir Guerrero Jr. included on the list.

Many Toronto Blue Jays fans would say it’s an obvious choice after watching Vladdy take batting practice before games. But other fans around the league questioned why he was included after hitting eight home runs so far this season.

All of that doubt was put to rest after the first round. Guerrero Jr. smashed 29 home runs in his first at-bat, setting a first-round record in the process. In a second-round that featured a playoff and two swing-offs, he hit 40 homers and advanced to the finals.

At the end of the night, Vlad Jr. finished second to the New York Mets‘ Pete Alonso.

Fans took to Twitter throughout the night to share their thoughts about the youngest player ever to compete in the Home Run Derby, starting with immediate reaction to his record-breaking first-round.

Vlad Jr. hit another one 476 feet. Has already hit the scoreboard #BlueJays

— Ben Nicholson-Smith (@bnicholsonsmith) July 9, 2019

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. – the youngest player in @tmobile #HRDerby history – just hit the most HR (29) EVER in the first round.

— MLB Stats (@MLBStats) July 9, 2019

My lawd Vlad just killed those baseballs #HRDerby

— Andrew (@andrew_cottrell) July 9, 2019

https://twitter.com/leouwerkerk/status/1148392935068753921

Vlad Jr. is an absolute MONSTER! #HRDerby

— Zach Daisley (@zach_daisley) July 9, 2019

Tough act to follow, Matt Chapman.#HRDerby

— Bryan Fonseca

Looking for the people who said Vlad shouldn't be in the Derby.#HomeRunDerby #HRDerby pic.twitter.com/6i8mxwe1b4

— David Salituro (@DavidSalituro) July 9, 2019

Kawhi left Toronto cuz he didn't wanna be in Vlad Jr.'s shadow.

— Kyle, a Madson (@KyleAMadson) July 9, 2019

Next, Vlad Jr. and Los Angeles Dodgers‘ Joc Pederson both hit 29 home runs in the second-round.

https://twitter.com/epehanich/status/1148406014703800320

Vlad Jr out here casually hitting balls off the scoreboard

— Jacob Wenhold (@JWenhold) July 9, 2019

I want someone to look at me how Vlad looks at a ball in the home run derby.

— Thomas Dodson (@shockthomas) July 9, 2019

Just give the trophy to Vlad Jr. already. #HRDerby

— ZroHour (Johnny) (@ZroHour) July 9, 2019

Never seen anything like this.

This is the greatest #HRDerby performance in history.

— Manny Randhawa (@MannyOnMLB) July 9, 2019

Thanks #Kawhi but we have #VladBombs for years to come! #BlueJays #Toronto

— Shawn Lavigne (@shawnlavignens) July 9, 2019

In the extra-minute playoff for the finals, Guerrero Jr. and Pederson tied again with 37 total homers. This led to a swing-off, where each player has three swings.

DOUBLE OVERTIME JOC AND VLAD

— Zak (@NoseFaceKiller) July 9, 2019

https://twitter.com/GiannisSZN/status/1148410500553695233

The real finals is right here #HRDerby

— Anthony Bonacolta (@BBbunia) July 9, 2019

Me right now during this #HRDerby playoff between Vlad Jr. and Joc. pic.twitter.com/Q0qvbeyNca

— Brenton MacAloney II (@SNOW_WxMan) July 9, 2019

One swing-off was not enough, though. Vladdy took it home with two home runs in the second swing-off, ending his second-round with a total of 40 home runs.

KEEP THIS GOING ALL NIGHT #HRDerby Vlad Jr vs Pederson is everything I never knew I needed

— Sarah Hager (@SarahKHager) July 9, 2019

Vlad Jr going off #HRDerby pic.twitter.com/OvAA1wwVXJ

— Justen (@jgl_131) July 9, 2019

YES, THAT WAS REAL LIFE.

Thank you for the show, boys. #HRDerby pic.twitter.com/KWAlrxonfE

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) July 9, 2019

OMG

— Vladimir Guerrero (@VladGuerrero27) July 9, 2019

Vlad Jr. has the most HR (69) in a single @tmobile #HRDerby ever.

He still has an entire round to go. pic.twitter.com/LbIES5sN1V

— MLB Stats (@MLBStats) July 9, 2019

As a rookie, Vlad Guerrero Jr. makes the league minimum this year. If he wins the derby he'll make $1 million. Even if he loses, he pockets $500,000 #BlueJays

— Ben Nicholson-Smith (@bnicholsonsmith) July 9, 2019

My question is, will Vlad have anything left for the finals?

— Brandon Stark (@Bstarksays) July 9, 2019

In the finals, Guerrero Jr. faced Pete Alonso. Despite a long and tiring second-round, the Blue Jay put up 22 home runs, but it was not enough to win the Home Run Derby.

My question is, will Vlad have anything left for the finals?

— Brandon Stark (@Bstarksays) July 9, 2019

pic.twitter.com/PGY0pM8m5D

— Vladimir Guerrero (@VladGuerrero27) July 9, 2019

Vlad is getting tired! He hit more than any #HRDerby in 2 rounds!!! Stay in there kid you can do it!

— Christian (@Acadian25) July 9, 2019

Vlad is so gassed and still sending them to the moon.

— wild thing THE GORGE fan (@wildthingmoyer) July 9, 2019

https://twitter.com/underscore_tim/status/1148421128425222144

https://twitter.com/lindseyadler/status/1148421830669213696

https://twitter.com/cody12c/status/1148423568209960960

https://twitter.com/SeanKelemen/status/1148420545194680320

Pete Alonso might have “won” the derby but Vlad Jr stole the show.

— Ernie. (@Negraaababyyy) July 9, 2019

Vladdy Jr. put on a show…he's going to be fun to watch for years to come. #HRDerby

— Eric Esposito (@EricEspo22) July 9, 2019

That was unreal. Beyond thankful I could witness in person. You’re a legend young king! #VLADDYJR @BlueJays pic.twitter.com/DkyaKhwLKR

— Marcus Stroman (@STR0) July 9, 2019