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Why Toronto Blue Jays' star Guerrero gave manager John Schneider a really touching gift

Adam Laskaris
Adam Laskaris
|
Aug 22 2025, 4:56 pm
Why Toronto Blue Jays' star Guerrero gave manager John Schneider a really touching gift
Kevin Sousa/Imagn Images

In the entire franchise of the Toronto Blue Jays, nobody might be closer to Vladimir Guerrero Jr. than John Schneider.

Having previously coached Guerrero at the minor league levels, including as his manager for the New Hampshire Fisher-Cats, Schneider has been a part of Guerrero’s support team for a decade now.

Joining the Gate 14 Podcast this week to chat about his time as manager of the Blue Jays, Schneider opened up about being Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s pitcher in both the 2019 and 2023 Home Run Derby events at All-Star weekend.

“Most nervous I’ve ever been on a baseball field was 2019 in Cleveland throwing to him [in the Home Derby],” Schneider told the hosts. “Like, sh** my pants. I mean, I’m a first-year major league coach. “I still throw BP to him, but it just different without the turtle over you. And it’s different, there’s a catcher. [I was] terrified. [It was] awesome that he asked me both times.”

Guerrero won the 2023 edition, and while he hit a ridiculous 92 home runs in 2019, he fell short in the final to the New York Mets’ Pete Alonso.

Schneider also showed off a cool gift that he got from Guerrero after winning in 2023.

“I can say thanks for the watch for the second one,” revealing a shiny timepiece that he got from the Jays slugger that he’s still clearly wearing today.

As for how he handled the nerves of the moment, Schneider said it got easier as the event went along.

“You kind of feel it. You hear the crowd and stuff, you kind of forget, no one’s looking at me. They’re looking at the player. So it’s like, all right, this is pretty cool. So you kind of just keep doing your thing.”

For Schneider, he can only hope that Guerrero and the first-place Blue Jays aren’t done giving him gifts yet this season.

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