Vladimir Guerrero Jr. takes the crown in Seattle and wins MLB's 2023 Home Run Derby.
The Cleveland Guardians didn't have any representative competing in the 2023 Home Run Derby, but that didn't mean the event was any less entertaining. This competition is arguably the best part of All-Star weekend and Monday night's showdown showed exactly why.
Randy Arozarena from the Tampa Bay Rays and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. of the Toronto Blue Jays were the two players to make it to the finals.
It came down to the final 30 seconds as Arozarena needed five more home runs to beat Vladdy's 25. Randy made it close, but he was three short and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. ended up winning it all!
Vladdy redeemed himself in this performance after he lost in the final to Pete Alonso in 2019. This was the derby that took place at Progressive Field in Cleveland.
This was also a special moment as Guerrero Jr. follows in his dad's footsteps winning the derby 16 years after his father, Vladimir Guerrero Sr. won it back in 2007.
The home run champion has hit two home runs in 17 games against Cleveland in his career, but he hasn't had a chance to play the Guardians yet this season.
The hometown hero, Julio Rodriguez, may not have won the competition, but he sure did put on a show. He broke the home run derby record by hitting 41 in one round. This helped him hit a total of 61 on the night.
For all you statheads out there, that's more total homers than the Guardians have hit all season (60).
Perhaps someone from the Gurdians will challenge Guerrero for the title in 2024. Jose Ramirez did say earlier this month that he's still open to competing in it in the future.
----
Read More:
Be sure to stay locked into Cleveland Baseball Insider all the time:
Follow Cleveland Baseball Insider on Twitter: @CBI_FanNation
Photo Credit © Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
