At only 26, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is now the greatest post-season slugger to play for the Toronto Blue Jays. For The National, CBC's Nick Purdon breaks down what makes him such dominate player, and speaks to his uncle Wilton, who taught him how to hit.

Toronto

Vladimir Guerrero Jr., at just 26 years old, is recognized as the greatest postseason slugger in Toronto Blue Jays history. His success is attributed to rigorous training from a young age, guided by his uncle Wilton Guerrero, a former major league player, who began coaching him at age five and continued daily sessions throughout his youth.

Guerrero Jr.'s achievements have made him a role model for aspiring baseball players, especially in the Dominican Republic, which produces more major league players than any country outside the United States. His presence has strengthened the bond between the Blue Jays and Dominican fans, and his career is often compared to that of his father, Hall of Famer Vladimir Guerrero Sr.

Why Blue Jays slugger Vladimir Guerrero Jr. dominates

And the Blue Jays fans making a ton of noise and now Guerrero rips one to deep left and it's gone! These are the home runs building Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s playoff legacy. At only 26, he's already the greatest postseason slugger to ever play for the Blue Jays. So how is it that Vlad Jr. is able to walk onto the biggest stage and dominate? A lot of credit has to go to the man who taught him how to play the game. His uncle, Wilton Guerrero. Vlad is my son, he's my nephew, he's my little brother because my mom took care of him when he was little. And Uncle Wilton knows baseball. He played in the major leagues himself for eight seasons. I started teaching when he was five years old. We started five years old and then at 11, we started working every day. We've been doing like 500 swings, 700 swings a day. We swing a lot. Vlad Jr. has said that everything he knows about baseball, he learned from his uncle. Even during COVID, they worked on Vlad's swing at a diamond in the Dominican Republic. And as Vlad got his motivation from his family, now he's the inspiration for countless kids who want to become him. Every kid in the Dominican Republic dreams of making it big. Consider this, the population is only 12 million people but it produces more major league ballplayers than any country outside the United States. And the Guerreros, they're the most famous of all. I know because I once visited the legendary Vladimir Guerrero Sr., Hall of Famer, Major League All-Star, at his home near the town of Don Gregorio. Look up there, number 27. That is the home of Vladimir Guerrero, the greatest Dominican player to ever play in the major leagues. Vlad Sr.'s humble beginnings are a long way from the half a billion dollar contract his son signed this year with the Toronto Blue Jays. But it's not surprising that Vlad Jr. chose the Jays. The first time the team took the field back in 1977, they had a Dominican player, Rico Carty, on their roster. And the bond between team and country continued to grow. There was George Bell and Tony Fernandez. And then came Jose Bautista and his famous backflip. Makes you wonder, is the Dominican Republic cheering for the Jays along with Canada? Carlos Lugo is a baseball reporter in the Dominican Republic and a scout for the, ahem, Los Angeles Dodgers. If you had to pick a side in the Dominican Republic, who are people cheering for? I'll say right now it's the Blue Jays, for sure. It pains me to say, but it's the Blue Jays. Because of Vlad Jr.'s presence, I think. So I'm sure for that. And while I have Lugo on the line, how about we get ahead of ourselves a little bit? Who's bigger now? Vlad Sr.? Vlad Jr.? Ah, Vlad Sr. is in the Hall of Fame. So, let's wait and see with Vladito. But, hey, you probably know this, but there hasn't been a father-son combination in the Hall of Fame. Hopefully, Vlad Jr. maintains this arc of career and maybe join his dad in Cooperstown. And winning a World Series sure wouldn't hurt his chances.

Egypt's historic treasures can be found in famous museums all around the world. Those in Egypt's possession, though, finally have an institution with the space to house and display them properly. The Grand Egyptian Museum is set to fully open its doors this week.

Cairo

Historic Grand Egyptian Museum set to open

Voters in New York, New Jersey, Virginia and California have already hit the polls for early voting before election day on Nov. 4. CBS News producer Jared Ochacher is following the New York City mayoral race.

New York

Mamdani commands double-digit lead over opponents in NYC mayoral race

The two-day APEC summit in South Korea has wrapped up with President Lee Jae Myung handing over hosting duties to China. Chinese President Xi Jinping has announced the southern city of Shenzhen as the site for next year's summit.

Seoul

Rise of AI

Global Tariffs

APEC summit ends, Trump and Xi reach truce in trade war

When a US aircraft carrier arrives in the Caribbean next week, there will be 14,500 American troops in and around Puerto Rico. The Trump administration says it's aimed at curbing drug trafficking. But many fear something much bigger to come.

San Juan

Fears of conflict in Caribbean amid U.S military build-up

The coastal town of Black River, described by the Jamaican government as Hurricane Melissa's "ground zero," lies devastated after one of the most powerful Atlantic storms on record tore through the island, claiming at least 19 lives and leaving a trail of unprecedented destruction.

Black River

Jamaica reels from catastrophic hurricane Melissa

FBI Director Kash Patel announced an operation that apparently "thwarted a potential terrorist attack" during Halloween weekend in Michigan. CBS News' Scott MacFarlane has more.

Dearborn

Patel says FBI stopped a potential "terror attack" in Michigan

Washington and Beijing are "in agreement on many things," U.S. President Donald Trump said after the face-to-face meeting that lasted nearly two hours, the first between both leaders in six years.

Busan

Trump announces deal with China after talks with Xi in South Korea

U.S. President Donald Trump ordered the resumption of nuclear weapons tests for the first time since 1992. A day earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Russia had successfully tested a nuclear-powered super torpedo.

Washington

Trump orders nuke tests after Russia tests nuclear-powered torpedo

Sudan and the UAE clash at the UN Security Council—Khartoum accuses Abu Dhabi of funding the RSF amid reports of atrocities.

UN Security Council meeting: Sudan and UAE trade heated accusations

U.S.-China tensions cast a shadow over the APEC summit in South Korea — Leaders debate trade, diplomacy, and the bloc’s mission of free trade.

Gyeongju-si

APEC summit: U.S.-China rivalry looms over trade and diplomacy

Microsoft, Meta and Alphabet recently reported their quarterly earnings and one thing is certain: the jaw-dropping investments in artificial intelligence are only just getting started. This all comes just days after Nvidia became the world's first-ever $5 trillion company.

California

Meta stock falls over 10% after commitment to raise AI spending

CBS News has confirmed that the Pentagon ordered all state National Guards to form what they're calling "quick reaction forces" available for rapid deployments to address potential civil unrest.

Pentagon orders state National Guards to form rapid response units

Taylor Taranto has been sentenced to time served plus 36 months of supervised release after being convicted of threatening former President Barack Obama. He was also pardoned on Jan. 6 Capitol rioting charges by President Trump earlier this year.

Taylor Taranto sentenced to time served for Obama threat

Authorities have charged five people in connection with the overdose deaths of three 19-year-olds, including Leandro De Niro-Rodriguez, the grandson of actor Robert De Niro.

Five arrested over overdose death of Robert De Niro’s grandson

Prince Andrew is being stripped of his royal titles and must move out of his mansion, Buckingham Palace announced on Thursday. Andrew has come under intense scrutiny over his friendship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

London

Prince Andrew stripped of royal titles over Jeffrey Epstein ties

French police have now detained seven people over the robbery at France's landmark museum on 19 October.

Paris

Louvre heist: Five new suspects arrested as search for jewels continues

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Thursday that China has approved a TikTok transfer deal. CBS News White House reporter Willie James Inman has more.

Treasury Secretary Bessent says China approved TikTok transfer deal

As Hurricane Melissa continues its trail of death and devastation through the Caribbean, Jamaica is taking stock. With over 75% of the country without power and $22 billion in damage, experts estimate recovery could take a decade.

Kingston

Jamaica reels as Hurricane Melissa leaves behind devastation

House lawmakers have been told their paychecks will be delayed until Congress passes a new funding bill. CBS News congressional reporter Taurean Small has the latest on the government shutdown.

House lawmakers' paychecks delayed until government reopens

Israeli planes and tanks pounded areas in eastern Gaza on Thursday (October 30), Palestinian residents and witnesses said, a day after Israel said it remained committed to a U.S.-backed ceasefire despite launching more lethal bombardments in the territory.

Jerusalem

Middle East Conflict

Israel strikes Gaza after asserting commitment to ceasefire

In the Netherlands, the centrist D66 party looks on course to beat the far right in the national election. Exit polls have predicted Rob Jetten's party will claim victory, which could lead him to become the country's youngest ever prime minister.

Amsterdam

Dutch centrist party wins big in election as far right loses support

President Donald Trump ordered the U.S. military on Thursday (October 30) to immediately resume testing nuclear weapons after a gap of 33 years, minutes before beginning a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Trump tells Pentagon to resume testing U.S. nuclear weapons

President Trump will hold a bilateral meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping. This is their first face-to-face since Mr. Trump returned to the White House. Jessi Mitchell anchors this Special Report.

Trump, Xi Jinping meet face-to-face in South Korea over trade

The Bank of Canada made a 25-basis-point cut to its key interest rate while governor Tiff Macklem suggested rates will hold where they are as long as inflation stays in the target range of two per cent.

Ottawa

Bank of Canada cuts key interest rate to 2.25%

After leaving Jamaica with widespread power outages and flooding, Melissa caused fatal flooding in Haiti that has killed 25 people and hit Cuba with a storm surge.

Port-au-Prince

Hurricane Melissa causes floods in Haiti, killing at least 25

Fentanyl production tops the agenda as the U.S. and China discuss curbing exports tied to the deadly opioid crisis.

Fentanyl crackdown central in U.S.-China talks

APEC members face economic uncertainty amid rising US-China rivalry—South Korea prepares for potential fallout from high-stakes talks.

U.S.-China trade tensions leave South Korea navigating APEC fallout

President Putin announced that the Poseidon super torpedo was successfully tested and cannot be intercepted, marking a new stage in Russia’s naval capabilities.

Moscow

Russia says its successfully tested nuclear-capable underwater drone

The Justice Department has put D.C. prosecutors on leave after they submitted a court memo describing those who attacked the Capitol on January 6, 2021 as "rioters." The filing was in a case involving Taylor Taranto, who was part of the Capitol riot and is currently facing unrelated weapons charges.

DOJ sidelines prosecutors over Jan. 6 'rioters' court filing

Sean Grayson, the former Illinois sheriff's deputy who shot and killed Sonya Massey in her home in 2024, was found guilty of second-degree murder.

Breakdown