Vladimir Guerrero Jr. calls for the return of a fan favourite celebration

Hazel Mae dropped somewhat of a bomb on Wednesday when she shared details surrounding her one-on-one conversation with Vladimir Guerrero Jr..  

Mae will meet with a select number of players prior to the start of the regular season and have fairly candid conversations about a wide range of topics. These specials typically air during Blue Jays Central, and offer insight into a players thoughts on seasons past and the impending campaign. 

Mae shared yesterday that she spoke with Vladdy, a conversation that surely covered topics such as his sky high expectations for this year, his woes in the Wild Card Series, and more. What she did confirm from that conversation, however, is that Vladdy would like the infamous home run jacket to return.

The jacket, shelved at the onset of last season seemingly for the purpose of becoming a more serious ball club, was a pioneer for prop themed home run celebrations in Major League Baseball. The jacket was introduced midway through the 2021 season by team interpreter, Hector Lebron. The back of the jacket featured all of the native countries of players on the roster, and would be placed on a player after they hit a home run, or a pitcher after a dominating performance.

Many teams have followed suit since and adopted their own celebrations. While topic is highly subjective, none have matched the effortlessly cool yet meaningful celebration of the Blue Jays.

The jacket produced many good memories for Blue Jays fans. The mediocrity of last season soured the news of the ditched jacket, as clearly the effort to increase seriousness in the dugout proved fruitless. With one of the teams star players calling for its return, is the jacket returning a possibility? 

This lone comment from Vladdy is about the only jacket related content we’ve gotten this spring, and there’s a possibility we have to wait until March 28th at Tropicana Field to see if the fan favourite piece of clothing makes a return.

Many other teams in MLB have their version of a home run celebration. The Mariners trident, the Reds viking apparel, and the Tigers hockey style celebration are fun and all, but the return of the OG home run jacket could be good for the Blue Jays and the sport as a whole.