The Home Run Derby is one of the more exciting events at All-Star weekend. Some of baseball’s best sluggers compete for the ultimate glory. But this year’s edition had controversy woven into the storyline. ESPN’s massive blunder took center stage as Vladimir Guerrero Jr. won. But now, MLB has reportedly pushed aside Canada, according to the latest update. 

ESPN managed to offend an entire country by mistaking Guerrero’s Dominican heritage for Cuba. But now MLB is joining the controversy as they push aside Canada in a surprise move. This makes it the second big blunder at the marquee event. 

MLB leaves out the Canadian national anthem

The Home Run Derby has led to much controversy by misrepresenting Vladimir Guerrero Jr. as Cuban-born despite his place of birth being Montreal and his Dominican heritage. But most recently, it has emerged that the MLB has also shunned Canada by not playing their national anthem before the Derby took place.

The Toronto Blue Jays pointed out this fact on Twitter, as their star won the event. In a Tweet, the Blue Jays said, “They didn’t perform our anthem before the Derby tonight, so the Canadian did it himself”. This has added another cloud over proceedings at All-Star weekend.

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The team also shared a video of Guerrero Jr. smashing home runs at the Derby. In the final round, he beat Tampa Bay Rays star Randy Arozarena to clinch the crown. 

Read More: “What the Hell Did We Do”: Toronto Blue Jays Shock the MLB World by Brutally Thrashing the Tampa Bay Rays

Guerrero Jr. has helped keep the Blue Jays in playoff contention as they were battling back from a streak of bad results. He will look to get into his best form after the All-Star weekend; the season will accelerate. Furthermore, despite the injustice his two home nations faced, he made his fans proud. 

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. did his home nation proud

As a Canadian-born baseball star representing the Dominican Republic, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. made his nation proud. After winning, he smashed some big hits and was highly humble, even hugging Randy Arozarena, who finished runner-up.

Furthermore, he got some revenge for his two home nations that were pushed aside in one case and misrepresented in the other. But the Blue Jays star held his head high by giving his best. 

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