Blue Jays Giveaways 2026: A Season of Excitement!
TORONTO – As the Toronto Blue Jays look ahead to the 2026 season following their thrilling playoff run, fans are eagerly anticipating the team’s promotional schedule. Among the highlights is a heartwarming and highly anticipated Vladimir Guerrero Jr. bobblehead, inspired by a memorable moment from the 2025 American League Championship Series.
The ‘Born Ready’ Bobblehead
The idea for the bobblehead stemmed from a post-game interview with Guerrero Jr. after Game 6 against the Seattle Mariners. A smiling Guerrero declared he was “born ready” for Game 7 and wanted “it all for this city.” The Blue Jays went on to win, securing their first World Series appearance since 1993.
Jess Wood, the Blue Jays’ promotions and events director, explained the inspiration: “We saw this little image of him as a kid with his dad at the Montreal Expos stadium and thought, ‘Why not make this into a bobblehead?’” Wood added, “It’s adorable and I’m so excited for our fans.”
The “Born Ready” bobblehead will be given to the first 15,000 fans arriving at Rogers Centre on May 25th. This is just one of many exciting giveaways planned for the season, which also celebrates the team’s 50th anniversary.
A Historic Photo, A Lasting Legacy
The iconic image that inspired the bobblehead was captured in September 2002 by Canadian Press photojournalist Paul Chiasson. It shows a three-year-old Guerrero Jr. standing beside his father, Vladimir Guerrero Sr., after a Montreal Expos victory. The photo captures a moment of pure joy and foreshadows the younger Guerrero’s future success.
Chiasson recalls the moment: “Junior tipping his cap, like he just seemed to know what to do… He had it, man.” That charisma has clearly translated to Guerrero Jr.’s professional career, making him a beloved figure in Canadian sport.
Guerrero Jr.: A Franchise Player
Blue Jays president Mark Shapiro emphasized the connection fans feel with Guerrero Jr.: “It’s authentic, it’s genuine, and they feel it.” Guerrero Jr.’s long-term extension, running through 2039, solidifies his place as the face of the franchise.
Wood added, “The story here is really Vladdy’s upbringing through Canada, being born in Montreal, really having those roots and now being one of our franchise players for many, many years. This is really the start, and (it’s) the most adorable little bobblehead.”
A Moment in Time
The 2002 photo has taken on a life of its own, even appearing on Guerrero Jr.’s baseball glove during his 2021 All-Star appearance. Chiasson, who covered the Expos for two decades, expressed his delight: “It’s rewarding. It’s cool, it’s really cool. It’s nice to see the legs this picture has had.”
The Blue Jays will kick off the new campaign on Friday night against the Oakland Athletics. Be sure to check the official Blue Jays promotions page for a full schedule of giveaways and events. You can also find more information about the team’s history at Baseball-Reference.
