via Getty
TORONTO, ON – SEPTEMBER 17: Toronto Blue Jays First base Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (27) celebrates after hitting a homerun during the MLB baseball regular season game between the Minnesota Twins and the Toronto Blue Jays on September 17, 2021, at Rogers Centre in Toronto, ON, Canada. (Photo by Julian Avram/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
via Getty
TORONTO, ON – SEPTEMBER 17: Toronto Blue Jays First base Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (27) celebrates after hitting a homerun during the MLB baseball regular season game between the Minnesota Twins and the Toronto Blue Jays on September 17, 2021, at Rogers Centre in Toronto, ON, Canada. (Photo by Julian Avram/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Troubles continue to follow ESPN after they experienced backlash over their recent layoffs. The sports media giants laid off 20 on-air talents, including millionaires Jalen Rose and Jeff Van Gundy. ESPN is also being called out for their massive Vladimir Guerrero Jr. blunder during the MLB Home Run Derby. Most recently, they faced a surprise entry into the fray as they dealt with the outrage.
Guerrero Jr. won the Home Run Derby in a close battle against Randy Arozarena. While interviewing the champion, ESPN managed to offend an entire country. But now, that nation is hitting back at the media giant while celebrating Guerrero Jr.
The Dominican Republic celebrates Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
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ESPN made a massive blunder by showing that Vladimir Guerrero Jr is Cuban-born in a graphic. This occurred during an interview following the Toronto Blue Jays stars Home Run Derby win. In response, Guerrero Jr.’s hometown has commenced big celebrations in his honor.
Read More: “You Got Me”: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Floors the MLB World With a Touching Gesture to a Rival Pitcher
MLB Insider Hector Gomez shared multiple videos of the festivities on Twitter. In particular, the star infielder’s hometown of Don Gregorio in the Dominican Republic seems to be alight with celebrations. In a Tweet, Gomez said, “This is how Don Gregorio, the hometown of Vladimir Guerrero Jr. in DR, is celebrating his victory in the Home Run Derby.”
This is how Don Gregorio, the hometown of Vladimir Guerrero Jr. in DR, is celebrating his victory in the Home Run Derby. pic.twitter.com/N6erh2QGmS
— Héctor Gómez (@hgomez27) July 11, 2023
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Despite being misrepresented as a Cuban-born athlete by ESPN, Guerrero Jr.’s triumph ignited a vibrant and spirited celebration. It’s worth noting that while the Blue Jays’ star was actually born in Montreal, Canada, he holds a deep sense of pride in his Dominican heritage.
Nobody is safe at ESPN
In a move deemed necessary to meet cost-cutting targets, ESPN recently laid off 20 on-air talents. What makes this even more surprising are the prominent names that are involved. Some big names laid off are NBA legend Jalen Rose, former NBA Head Coach Jeff Van Gundy, and major media personality Max Kellerman.
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This incident involving Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and the recent layoffs at ESPN serve as evidence that sports media giants are not hesitating to take action, even when it involves prominent figures. The focus is now on ESPN, and it will be intriguing to observe their approach to future cost-cutting measures.
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