UPDATE: Tensions flared at the Rogers Centre as Toronto Blue Jays fans unleashed their frustrations on superstar Shohei Ohtani during Game 1 of the 2025 World Series on Friday night. The vocal crowd expressed their anger over Ohtani’s decision to sign a staggering $700 million, 10-year contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers instead of joining their team in the 2023 offseason.
Before the game, fans made their feelings known with loud boos during Ohtani’s pregame introductions, and the atmosphere turned hostile as chants of “We don’t need you!” rang out while he batted in the ninth inning. Ohtani, who walked that at-bat, was nearly picked off by left-hander Eric Lauer but was ruled safe after a video review. He was ultimately stranded on the bases as the Blue Jays secured an 11-4 victory.
Toronto manager John Schneider had previously joked about wanting Ohtani to return a Blue Jays hat and jacket he had taken after a meeting on December 4, 2023, at the team’s spring training facility in Dunedin, Florida. The playful jabs escalated into more pointed remarks from the stands as the game progressed.
“Don’t poke the bear,”
warned Blue Jays pitcher Chris Bassitt regarding the chants. Meanwhile, third baseman Ernie Clement remarked that the chants were all in good fun, saying, “I couldn’t help but laugh. We have the guys we have, and the guys we have have done a hell of a job. I don’t think we need any more of what we have right now.”
Blue Jays outfielder George Springer acknowledged the crowd’s sentiments, stating, “At the end of the day, Shohei Ohtani is an unbelievable baseball player. Any team that he would be on, it would be awesome. But he’s over there and not here.” Springer recognized Ohtani’s extraordinary talent, emphasizing that he has “15 years to go.”
Despite the hostile reception, Ohtani demonstrated his prowess on the field, launching a two-run homer in the seventh inning off Braydon Fisher, even as the Dodgers trailed by a significant margin of 11-2. This marked Ohtani’s fourth home run in just two games, as he previously struck out ten times and hit three home runs in a decisive Game 4 victory against the Milwaukee Brewers to clinch the Dodgers’ NL Championship Series.
As the series progresses, all eyes will remain on the ongoing rivalry and the player dynamics between Ohtani and the Blue Jays, fueling what promises to be an electrifyingly competitive postseason.
For updates on the series and further reactions, stay tuned as this story develops.
