Toronto Blue Jays say individual comments by outfielder Anthony Santander do not represent the club’s values after he posted Islamophobic videos online.
The Story
The Toronto Blue Jays issued a statement distancing the organization from Islamophobic videos shared on social media by outfielder Anthony Santander.
The posts were uploaded in the hours following the U.S. midterms and included claims that Sharia law would come to America after Abdul El-Sayed won a Michigan Senate race, as well as allegations that Muslim politicians are radicals and that Islam is driven by war.
Santander removed the posts on Thursday morning, but they were online long enough to draw significant attention.
In its statement, the Blue Jays said, “Baseball is for everyone, and the Blue Jays have created an inclusive experience where all fans feel welcome at our ballpark. Individual comments do not represent our organization’s values and beliefs.”
Santander signed a five-year, $92.5 million deal before the 2025 season. Much of his time in Toronto has been spent on the injured list, and he appeared in 54 games. He missed all of the 2026 season after surgery on his left shoulder.
← More stories