Yankees Fan Throws Can at Guerrero’s Family as Blue Jays Advance to ALCS
In a disturbing display of poor sportsmanship, a New York Yankees fan was caught on video throwing a can at a group of people wearing Vladimir Guerrero Jr. jerseys following the Toronto Blue Jays’ victory in the American League Division Series. According to baseball writer Hector Gomez, the targets of this hostility included members of Guerrero’s family. The incident occurred as tensions ran high with the Yankees facing elimination, marking yet another chapter in the complex relationship between the Yankees organization and the Guerrero family. While security appeared to restore order before the situation escalated further, the video captured the heated exchange and the moment the can came flying toward the group.
The unfortunate incident comes as Guerrero Jr. delivered an exceptional performance against the Yankees, batting an impressive .529 in the series. The young slugger has consistently been a challenge for New York throughout his career, but his postseason play elevated to remarkable heights as he helped eliminate their AL East rivals. This stellar performance makes the fan’s behavior all the more disappointing, as it overshadows what should have been a celebration of exceptional baseball talent, regardless of team loyalty. The Blue Jays’ victory means they’ll advance to host Game 1 of the American League Championship Series on Sunday, awaiting the winner of the Detroit Tigers-Seattle Mariners Game 5.
What adds another layer to this story is Guerrero Jr.’s previously stated stance that he would never play for the Yankees due to “personal” reasons related to his family. While he hasn’t elaborated extensively on these reasons, there’s history here: the Yankees were reportedly close to signing his father, Hall of Famer Vladimir Guerrero Sr., before the 2004 season but ultimately opted for Gary Sheffield instead. This background suggests a long-standing tension between the Guerrero family and the Yankees organization that predates the younger Guerrero’s Major League career, making the targeting of his family members by a fan particularly sensitive.
For the Yankees, this incident represents another low point in what has become a 16-year championship drought—the longest such period for the storied franchise in recent memory. Despite their reputation and resources, the Yankees have struggled to translate regular-season success into World Series appearances, let alone victories. The frustration among the fanbase is understandable, but incidents like this can damage the reputation of one of baseball’s most iconic franchises and its passionate supporters. Most Yankees fans support their team respectfully, making this behavior an unfortunate exception rather than the rule.
The Blue Jays now look ahead to the ALCS, riding the momentum of their impressive series win and the exceptional performance of their young star. For Guerrero Jr., this postseason success represents a coming-of-age moment, as he follows in the footsteps of his Hall of Fame father while creating his own legacy in Major League Baseball. The incident with his family members could potentially fuel his motivation even further as Toronto continues its playoff journey. The team awaits either the Detroit Tigers or Seattle Mariners as their next opponent, with home-field advantage secured for the beginning of the series.
This unfortunate episode serves as a reminder of the intense emotions baseball can evoke, particularly in playoff scenarios, while also highlighting the need for respectful behavior regardless of team allegiance. The relationship between Guerrero and the Yankees will likely remain complicated, especially after this incident, but the focus should return to the field where the true spirit of baseball competition belongs. As the postseason continues, the hope is that fans can appreciate the extraordinary talent on display across all teams and that the actions of one individual don’t tarnish what should be an exciting October of baseball for everyone involved.
