Jays Fans Boo Ohtani with ‘Don’t Need You’ Chants in Game 1

UPDATE: Toronto Blue Jays fans made their feelings known about Shohei Ohtani during Game 1 of the World Series on Friday night, chanting “We don’t need you!” as he batted in the ninth inning. The discontent stems from Ohtani’s decision to sign a $700 million, 10-year contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers after meeting with Blue Jays officials on December 4, 2023.

Before the game at Rogers Centre, Ohtani faced a chorus of boos during the pregame introductions. Despite the tension, Toronto manager John Schneider offered a light-hearted take, joking about wanting Ohtani to return a Blue Jays hat and jacket he had taken post-meeting for his dog, Decoy.

The atmosphere turned pointed as fans expressed their displeasure at Ohtani’s absence from their roster. While he walked in his final at-bat, Ohtani was nearly picked off by Toronto’s left-hander Eric Lauer, only to be ruled safe after a video review. Ultimately, he was stranded on the bases as the Blue Jays secured an 11-4 victory.

“Don’t poke the bear,”

warned Blue Jays pitcher Chris Bassitt regarding the crowd’s chants. However, teammate Ernie Clement viewed it as all in good fun, stating,

“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 chants, saying,

“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 immense talent, noting, “He’s one of the best baseball players ever, and he’s got 15 years to go.”

Ohtani, undeterred by the crowd’s animosity, showcased his skill by hitting a towering two-run homer in the seventh inning, bringing the Dodgers closer at 11-4. This marked his fourth home run in just two games, further solidifying his reputation after a standout performance during the NL Championship Series against the Milwaukee Brewers.

The ongoing dynamics between fans and Ohtani are likely to escalate as the series continues. With the Blue Jays dominating Game 1, fans are eager to see how Ohtani responds in the subsequent matchups. The next game is set to be a crucial opportunity for both teams as they battle for supremacy in the World Series.