Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s strong finish to the 2024 season helped him earn his second Tip O’Neill award

The Montreal-born first baseman placed sixth in the American League MVP voting, slashing .323/.396./544 with 30 home runs and 103 RBIs. Although the power numbers remained similar to his last couple of seasons, he made considerably more contact, hitting for a career-high 199 hits and a career-low 13.8% strikeout rate. He also earned the AL Silver Slugger Award for first base.

While his on-the-field production was unrivalled, it was not enough alone for him to win the Tip O’Neill Award. The CBHFM also considers charitable and community efforts and players that ‘adhere to baseball’s ideals’. Guerrero has long been active with charity work since reaching the Majors, using his stardom to give back to the community both in Toronto and the Dominican Republic.

The 25-year-old started his charity work years ago in the DR, where he spent the majority of his life. In Canada, he has been a key supporter of ExposFest, a cause created by an Expos fan who lost his niece to a rare form of brain cancer and has since raised over $2 million for the Montreal Children’s Hospital. In 2022, Guerrero Jr. started the VG27 foundation, which helps children and their families with a variety of projects relating to education and sports, as well as health and the environment.

Guerrero Jr. has been outspoken about wanting to follow in his dad’s footsteps as someone very active in the community throughout his respective playing career. Much of that focus has been in the Dominican Republic, while the creation of VG27 has allowed him to expand his reach even further. Creating the foundation led to him being the Blue Jays nominee for the 2023 Roberto Clemente Award. Although he didn’t take home the honour, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him nominated again in the future.

The 2021 AL MVP runner-up’s play on the field will keep him in the running for the Tip O’Neill Award for years to come. What’s just as impressive is that he understands that he has a responsibility to use his platform to help as many people as he can.