Anthony Rizzo talks about moment with Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

Anthony Rizzo Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Anthony Rizzo talks about ninth-inning moment with Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports | By Larry Brown | Last updated 4/22/23

Following Friday’s 6-1 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays, New York Yankees first baseman Anthony Rizzo revealed the details of an exchange between himself and Blue Jays star Vladimir Guerrero Jr. in the ninth inning.

Guerrero was batting with a runner on first and two outs in the top of the ninth. His team held a 6-1 lead at the time. Yankees reliever Greg Weissert proceeded to hit the slugger with the first pitch and the Blue Jays star angrily stared down Weissert in response.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. stares down Greg Weissert after getting hit by a pitch and Anthony Rizzo gets involved pic.twitter.com/08zU6IO8IP

— Talkin' Yanks (@TalkinYanks) April 22, 2023

Weissert had just walked Bo Bichette prior to hitting Vlad and he walked Matt Chapman after hitting Vlad, meaning this was almost certainly an innocuous control issue.

Still, Guerrero thought Weissert hitting him was personal. Rizzo then interceded.

Anthony Rizzo on what he said to Vlad: “Just walk to first base. I just took exception. I’m just going to back my teammate up. He was just staring him down. It was obviously an accident. I get Vlad’s side of being pissed. I’ve been hit many times.” pic.twitter.com/SL5fcm5cq9

— Chris Kirschner (@ChrisKirschner) April 22, 2023

After the game, Rizzo (who currently sits eighth all time in HBP) told reporters he was standing up for Weissert and asked Guerrero to just go take his base.

Guerrero homered earlier in the contest and prior to the game, reiterated his stance that he would never play for the Yankees. Given all of that smoke, it's at least somewhat understandable that Guerrero felt there was something intentional behind the ill-fated pitch, even as the Yankees deny that that was the case.

This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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