Apr 19, 2024; San Diego, California, USA; Toronto Blue Jays manager John Schneider (14) looks on during the first inning against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
Former Blue Jays scout Guerrero passes away
TORONTO – Epy Guerrero was a pioneer in the development of the player pipeline from the Dominican Republic to North America, in the process helping the Toronto Blue Jays become a key player in one of baseball’s most fertile areas.
The impact of his work is still being felt to this day across the game, which is why his death Thursday at age 71 touched so many people.
“When you create the prototype of something that creates an avenue for an industry like Major League Baseball to funnel I don’t know how many professional players to the minor-leagues and big-leagues, it’s a huge legacy to leave behind,” said Blue Jays outfielder Jose Bautista. “It’s not to be overlooked that outside of the United States, the country that contributes the most to major-league and minor-league talent is the Dominican Republic, and he has one of those stepping stones in that process of how to create the system that’s in place now to get that talent here.”
The Blue Jays did not have details of his death but did send out a tweet of sympathy to this family.
