During the World Series, fans at the Rogers Centre in Toronto booted the Dodgers’ star player, Shohei Ohtani, during pregame activities. While it is typical for fans to jeer opposing players during lineups, the boos for Ohtani were notably loud and distinct from those for his teammates.
Ohtani’s first at-bat of the game was met with continued boos, as he struck out to lead off the first inning. During a free agency visit, Ohtani had toured the Blue Jays in the winter of 2023, but ultimately signed with the Dodgers.
The Blue Jays, led by its manager John Schneider, humorously requested the return of items taken by Ohtani, including a hat and a jacket for his dog, Decoy. Ohtani, who had been visiting the team during free agency, responded with a joke when asked about the incident, saying the items were in his garage.
Despite the initial tension, the manager expressed that the team felt positive about the meeting with Ohtani, who had shown interest in joining the Blue Jays. However, the manager emphasized that free agency involves many personal considerations, and the team focuses on the 26 players currently on the roster.