TORONTO, Ont. — Yes, the Rolling Stones were in the Toronto area this weekend, but for Marcus Stroman and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. of the Blue Jays, another iconic band is top of mind.
Spinal Tap.
Because in early July, they will be saying “Hello, Cleveland.”
Stroman has been named the Blue Jays’ representative on the American League all-star team for the Midsummer Classic on July 9 at Progressive Field.
This is the first all-star nod for the pitcher.
“It’s amazing,” Stroman told the media Sunday. “One of the bright spots of my career.”
Stroman had a hunch he had been selected when he was called into the office of Blue Jays manager Charlie Montoyo.
“I haven’t been called to the office all year,” Stroman said. “It brought tears to my eyes.”
This season, Stroman has a 5-9 record, with a 3.18 ERA in 18 starts.
Stroman credits his family and coaches with helping him to improve on his 2018 stats.
“I knew I wasn’t at 100% (last year, when he went 4-9 with a 5.54 ERA),” Stroman said. “I knew what I had to do to get ready and did it.”
“Every time he pitches, we have a chance to win,” Montoyo said of Stroman.
Earlier Sunday, Guerrero Jr. learned that he also will be going to Progressive Field. He will be one of eight MLB players to compete in the Home Run Derby on July 8, the night before the all-star game.
Guerrero has only eight home runs in 2019, ending a 19-game homerless drought on Saturday during the Blue Jays’ 7-5 win over the Kansas City Royals. But when he does hit home runs — as he was doing with ease during batting practice that day — they are spectacular.
Cleveland’s Carlos Santana, Milwaukee’s Christian Yelich, Pittsburgh’s Josh Bell, and fellow rookie Pete Alonso of the New York Mets also have been announced as Derby competitors. The other three players will be named on Wednesday.
Pitching to Guerrero will be Blue Jays coach John Schneider, who managed Guerrero’s minor-league teams in 2017 (single-A Dunedin) and 2018 (double-A New Hampshire). The two have partnered in previous home run contests.
“We both know each other very well,” Guerrero said Sunday. “He’s the right guy for me.”
Guerrero’s father won the 2007 Home Run Derby, defeating then-Jay Alex Rios in the final.
Will the younger Guerrero seek words of wisdom on the Derby?
“I don’t think you need much advice,” Guerrero Jr. said. “You see it, you hit it.”
Copyright Postmedia Network Inc., 2019
