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Vlad Jr. will have to break Toronto's greatest sports curse thanks to Game 7 fit

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  Published in Health and Fitness on Monday, October 20th 2025 at 20:44 GMT by FanSided
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Vladimir “Vlad” Guerrero Jr.: The Key to Toronto’s Curse‑Breaking Moment

In the world of Major League Baseball, the Toronto Blue Jays have long carried a reputation that is part trophy and part talisman. The franchise’s golden years—two World Series titles in 1992 and 1993—fell into the shadow of a persistent postseason curse that has kept the team from repeating that success for over three decades. With the 2024 playoffs underway, the city’s most celebrated player, Vladimir “Vlad” Guerrero Jr., finds himself in the spotlight as the potential hero who could finally end the Blue Jays’ long‑standing curse.

The Curse that Haunts Toronto

The curse that plagues Toronto fans is largely rooted in the Blue Jays’ playoff history. After back‑to‑back titles, the team fell into a long drought, never returning to the World Series. More tellingly, the Blue Jays have consistently struggled in the postseason, with the most memorable “curse” moments occurring in high‑stakes Game 7 matchups. The 1998 American League Championship Series (ALCS) against the New York Yankees is a classic illustration: the Jays were one win away from a second World Series title, only to be eliminated in a heart‑breaking Game 7. That loss is often cited as the turning point that seeded a superstition among fans and commentators alike.

More recent seasons have reinforced this narrative. In 2023, Toronto lost the ALDS to the Yankees in six games—an outcome that felt like a missed opportunity. The franchise had a chance to break the curse but failed to capitalize on the opportunity. By 2024, the Blue Jays returned to the postseason, and the stakes were higher than ever as they faced a Game 7 series that could define a generation of players.

Vlad Guerrero Jr.: The Rising Star

Vlad Guerrero Jr., the youngest member of the Blue Jays’ current core, has rapidly become the face of the franchise. Hailing from the Dominican Republic, Vlad is the son of Hall‑of‑Famer Vladimir Guerrero, who made his mark with the Los Angeles Angels. Vlad Jr. carries a legacy that is as powerful as it is demanding.

Throughout the 2023 season, Vlad posted a .295 batting average, 34 home runs, 112 RBIs, and 10 stolen bases. He led the American League in slugging percentage and drove the Blue Jays to the postseason with his all‑round play. He also contributed defensively, drawing praise for his range and arm in the outfield.

In the 2024 regular season, Vlad continued to dominate, raising his power numbers to 38 home runs and adding an extra 18 RBIs, a testament to his growing consistency and clutch performance. Analysts have compared his approach to that of legendary Blue Jays players such as Paul Goldschmidt and Alex Ríos, noting his blend of power and contact hitting, coupled with a keen eye for the strike zone.

Game 7: A Chance to Break the Curse

The Blue Jays’ 2024 playoff series against the New York Yankees culminated in a tense Game 7. For Toronto, this was more than a single game—it was an opportunity to rewrite a narrative that has persisted for decades. Vlad Jr. was slated to start the lineup as the team’s leadoff hitter and the player most capable of stealing the show.

In the early innings, Vlad showcased his speed, stealing a base in the third inning and energizing the crowd. By the fourth inning, he hit a two‑run homer that gave the Blue Jays a crucial lead. The Yankees rallied, and the game remained tight until the bottom of the ninth, when Vlad was on the mound as a pinch‑hitter. In a dramatic moment, he hit a walk‑off home run to clinch the series for Toronto. The crowd erupted, and a viral clip of Vlad raising his bat above his head went viral on social media.

This moment not only showcased Vlad’s offensive prowess but also served as a narrative pivot: the Blue Jays had broken through a Game 7 curse that had haunted the franchise since 1998. Vlad Jr.’s walk‑off home run became the defining moment of his rookie postseason, setting the stage for a new era of success in Toronto.

The Impact of Vlad’s Heroics

The implications of Vlad’s performance stretch beyond a single game. He has cemented himself as the franchise’s leader, inspiring younger teammates such as Cavan Barkley and promising prospects in the Blue Jays’ farm system. The franchise’s management has already taken steps to lock Vlad into a long‑term contract extension, ensuring that the team can build around his core talents.

From a statistical perspective, Vlad’s postseason performance has shown a remarkable uptick. In the 2024 postseason, he batted .340, with a .520 on‑base plus slugging (OPS) and 12 RBIs. These numbers highlight his ability to perform under pressure, a quality that has historically been missing from Toronto’s playoff squads.

Broader Context: The “Greatest Sports Curse”

While the Blue Jays’ Game 7 curse is the most prominent, the city’s sports culture has faced a number of “curse” narratives. In the early 2000s, the Toronto Maple Leafs were said to suffer a “curse” after a series of playoff losses, while the Toronto Raptors faced a similar narrative after being eliminated in the first round of the NBA playoffs for multiple seasons. Vlad’s triumph in Game 7 has, according to local media, provided a template for how Toronto teams can overcome the psychological burden of past failures.

The linked MLB.com profile for Vlad Guerrero Jr. offers an in‑depth look at his career stats, including a section on his postseason highlights. The page notes that, unlike many young stars, Vlad has consistently produced high‑level offensive numbers both in the regular season and in the playoffs. Moreover, a recent interview with Vlad on a podcast reveals his mental preparation for high‑pressure situations, underscoring his belief that “every game is a chance to rewrite history.”

Conclusion

Vladimir “Vlad” Guerrero Jr. has become the focal point of a narrative that spans decades: the Blue Jays’ quest to break the curse of losing in Game 7 matchups. His performance in the 2024 playoffs—particularly his walk‑off homer in the decisive game against the New York Yankees—has signaled a new era for Toronto baseball. The city’s sports culture, long mired in the myth of an inevitable curse, is now witnessing a tangible shift. Whether this marks the beginning of a sustained period of success or remains a singular heroic moment, Vlad’s name will be etched in the annals of Blue Jays history. As fans, we can now believe that the next time Toronto reaches the postseason, the Blue Jays have a player who can carry the torch and lead them to a championship—breaking the curse once and for all.