Fansided

Yankees hit back at Vlad Guerrero Jr., literally, after no NY declaration

By Scott Rogust

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 21: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. #27 of the Toronto Blue Jays and home plate umpire Adrian Johnson #80 argue with Anthony Rizzo #48 of the New York Yankees in the ninth inning at Yankee Stadium on April 21, 2023 in the Bronx borough of New York City. The Toronto Blue Jays defeated the New York Yankees 6-1. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 21: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. #27 of the Toronto Blue Jays and home plate umpire Adrian Johnson #80 argue with Anthony Rizzo #48 of the New York Yankees in the ninth inning at Yankee Stadium on April 21, 2023 in the Bronx borough of New York City. The Toronto Blue Jays defeated the New York Yankees 6-1. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
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Toronto Blue Jays slugger Vladimir Guerrero Jr. was plunked in Friday’s game and got into a confrontation with New York Yankees first baseman Anthony Rizzo.

On Friday, Toronto Blue Jays slugger Vladimir Guerrero Jr. reiterated his point that he really doesn’t like the New York Yankees, and that he will never sign with them. The reason why is something he cites as “personal,” and he has let the world know on numerous occasions in the past year that he likes to “kill” the Yankees. He certainly did that earlier in the series-opening game, crushing a two-run homer in the top of the first inning, and had some fun on his trot around the bases.

Well, things got a bit more chippy later on in the game.

In the top of the ninth inning, Guerrero was hit in the left elbow guard by Yankees relief pitcher Greg Weissert. Guerrero took exception to this, seemingly thinking there was intent behind the throw, and stared down Weissert. As he continued to stare him down, Yankees first baseman Anthony Rizzo began jawing with Guerrero, telling him to take his base.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. takes exception to plunking by Yankees

Guerrero eventually took his base, and play continued.

After the game, Rizzo said that he told Guerrero to walk to first base and that he “took exception” to him staring down Weissert. Rizzo said that “I’m just going to back my teammate up” and that the plunking was an accident.

Weissert said that he didn’t intentionally hit Guerrero, telling reporters, “you guys watched the game, I didn’t have my best stuff.” He continued, saying that he didn’t say anything to Guerrero and that he just stood on the mound waiting for play to resume.

The Blue Jays picked up the 6-1 win, with Guerrero going 2-for-4 at the plate.

This is the start of a three-game series this weekend. On Saturday, it will feature a battle of aces, as Gerrit Cole will take on Alek Manoah. It will be interesting to see if there will be any form of retaliation in terms of intentionally hitting batters from Toronto’s side.

First pitch on Saturday will take place at 1:05 p.m. ET.

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