By JOE McFARLAND

My baseball hero was Joe Carter.

I loved that he caught the toss from Mike Timlin for the final out of Game 6 of the 1992 World Series and was over the moon when he went yard off Mitch Williams to cap off the 1993 championship.

Aside from having the same first name as him, Carter’s swing for the fences and massive smile made me want to be just like him.

While my baseball abilities have peaked with beer-league slo-pitch, it’s never been lost on me how impactful sports can be on young people as they are growing up.

When a team invests in its future with superstar talent and the hope of bringing home a championship, it gives a whole new generation of fans an opportunity to dream just like I did.

The Toronto Blue Jays did exactly that when they handed over a 14-year, $500 million contract to Vladimir Guerrero, Jr.

Much like Carter, his potential power numbers and infectious smile will now be the face of a franchise, which isn’t just big for the Jays.

It’s big for the sport at every level across this country, including Alberta and Saskatchewan.

LEGACY UNLEASHED

Vladdy’s signing locks up a massive piece of the team’s future and identity for the long-term.

Unless something crazy happens, the 26-year-old will retire a Blue Jay. There might be a statue erected in front of Rogers Centre when he’s done and maybe a call from Cooperstown if all goes according to plan.

The move also creates some certainty around the clubhouse, as those questions won’t linger this year or in seasons to come, and might work to help attract other big-name free agents in the future or entice other key players like Bo Bichette to also sign long-term deals.

Beyond that, they will be able to sell tickets and No. 27 jerseys and other memorabilia for the foreseeable future.

"We're going to give all we have to help the team win and try to bring a World Series Championship back to Toronto."

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. joins @thehazelmae on #OpeningDay moments before his seventh season in a Blue Jays uniform begins pic.twitter.com/EAvsyNOy8d
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) March 27, 2025

When you have that kind of certainty, it gives those involved in the grassroots an opportunity to get excited as well.

When you ask them about the future, many will share a common sentiment: “wherever the Blue Jays go, we go.”

In other words, if the Jays are good, enrollment and excitement about the game is really good.

PART OF SOMETHING BIGGER

All you need to do is look at history for proof of the Blue Jays’ impact.

Go back to 1992-1993 when they captured the World Series and think about those kids who were watching.

They wanted to hit homers like Carter, make big catches like Devon White or make clutch plays like Roberto Alomar.

Fast-forward 10-15 years and those same Canadian kids were representing the maple leaf at the 2006 World Baseball Classic, 2008 Olympics and successful Pan-Am Games, making their own memories and legacies.

In more recent history, talk to some of the young high school and college athletes about who they idolized growing up.

They all mention names like Jose Bautista, Edwin Encarnacion, Josh Donaldson, and Russell Martin, who were all integral to the Blue Jays’ playoff runs of 2015-2016.

While they haven’t been able to duplicate that success in recent years, the Blue Jays have been able to ride the excitement around the wave of young talent like Vlad, Bo, Alejandro Kirk and Alek Manoah for fans and young athletes to keep dreaming.

Again, we’re talking about the next generation of ballplayers who might be inspired to follow their baseball dreams and, one day, suit up for Canada at the highest level.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

The Toronto Blue Jays are Canada’s team in Major League Baseball.

Unlike any other team, they are beloved from coast to coast to coast and, no matter where the players are from, they seemingly become adopted Canadians every baseball season.

With Guerrero signing to a long-term contract and others potentially to follow, it also gives them the chance to endear themselves to the country.

They can give back to the game through different initiatives or even special offseason appearances like the slugger did with the Kinsmen Club of Saskatoon’s annual Sports Celebrity Dinner in 2023.

Having your home-team heroes visit your community, especially when things are going well, only helps to positively elevate the game, especially when you have the charisma and energy that the Blue Jays’ young superstar has.

'Vladimir Guerrero Jr. could be the face of Toronto sports for a long time.' @HayesTSN has more on the Vlad Jr. extension: https://t.co/1leuiMin4X pic.twitter.com/6wMMbHpNWV
— JayOnSC (@JayOnSC) April 8, 2025

Those young athletes will be able to buy into the idea of “if you can see it, you can be it,” maybe getting pointers or words of encouragement.

It’s a connection that isn’t lost on lost on Baseball Canada CEO Jason Dickson, as he hopes to see enrollment and excitement around the game continue to rise.

“Home runs are always spectacular, but Vladimir is also a player who shows enthusiasm on the field,” he told Le Journal.

“He sets an example for young people that you can have fun when you play baseball.”

Vladimir Guerrero, Jr. may have signed a 14-year contract with the Toronto Blue Jays, but it’s also with Canada’s entire baseball community.

It sends a message to fans and players across the country that the team is dedicated to its star and the star is dedicated to playing for the Blue Jays – Canada’s team – with the potential for him to be their baseball hero for years to come.