"I love going to battle with Vladimir Guerrero Jr." - Blue Jays coach shares Toronto superstar's heartwarming gesture after his daughter's death

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is one of the most recognizable superstars in the MLB and arguably the face of the Toronto Blue Jays franchise. Blue Jays coach Mark Budzinski shed light on the generous and affectionate persona of the 26-year-old, recounting a thoughtful gesture he received from the first baseman to remind him of his departed daughter.

Budzinski is a former outfielder who appeared in four major league games for the Cincinnati Reds in 2003 and is now the first base coach of the Blue Jays. He lost his 17-year-old daughter, Julia, during a boat accident in July 2022 while she was tubing with family and friends in James River, Virginia.

On Tuesday, Budinski, on 'The Mayor's Office with Sean Casey' podcast, explained the personality of Vladimir Guerrero Jr. with an anecdote following the death of his daughter.

"When Julia passed away back in 2022, he found a picture online that one of my family members posted. I'm not sure whether (it was) my sister or my mother, and he took it to an artist and had a rendition (made). It was actually on my 47th birthday," Budzinski said. "This thing is life-size; this thing is enormous, and had it shipped to me about a year ago.

"So, doing things like that just speaks to the kind of person and the caring person that he is," Budszinksi continued, nearly breaking into tears. "He's a fantastic human being. I couldn't say anything more positive about him. I love being with him every day and seeing his smile. I love going to battle with him."

Mark Budzinski has been working with Vladimir Guerrero Jr. since Guerrero's MLB debut in 2019.

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"He's starting to feel like this is his team": Mark Budzinski on leadership qualities of Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. finished in sixth place in the 2024 AL MVP voting (Source: Imagn)

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has established himself as one of the best first basemen in the MLB, earning his fourth straight All-Star Game call-up this year.

Guerrero ended the season on a .323/.396/.544 slash line with 30 home runs and 103 RBIs. Budzinski believes Guerrero is ready to step up into a leadership role and become a franchise icon.

"We have seen what he can do on the field," Budzinski said. "He cares about offense, defense, the clubhouse. You mentioned leadership. I think he's really starting to feel like this is his team and he needs to be the one out in front of it. He's getting more comfortable speaking in team meetings. He's not the most outspoken guy, but he'll do it quietly.

"He wants everyody to be at their best and succeed and help us win, like I mentioned, a championship and multiple championships in the years to come," he added.

The Blue Jays finished last in the American League East in 2024, while Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is entering his final year before reaching free agency at the end of the next season.