Blue Jays apologize to Muslim community and fans in wake of Santander’s posts

Detailed summary

The Toronto Blue Jays apologized Thursday to the Muslim community and the team's fans for the "pain and harm" caused by outfielder Anthony Santander's social media posts.

The Toronto Blue Jays apologized Thursday to the Muslim community and the team’s fans for the “pain and harm” caused by outfielder Anthony Santander’s social media posts.

Santander shared anti-Muslim posts on Nov. 4 in the aftermath of last week’s U.S. midterm elections. He deleted them the next morning.

“We met with leaders in Toronto’s Muslim communities today, who shared the harm caused by Anthony Santander’s Islamophobic social media posts,” team president and chief executive officer Mark Shapiro said in a statement. “The opportunity to listen and learn was important and reaffirms our beliefs and values as an organization. We condemn Islamophobia and all forms of hate.

“The Blue Jays are deeply sorry to the Muslim community and our fans for the pain and harm these Islamophobic posts have caused. We will work with leaders in Muslim communities to fight against all forms of hate. The Blue Jays will continue to ensure our organization reflects the inclusive community we are proud to call home.”

Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins, speaking Tuesday at Major League Baseball’s GM meetings in Las Vegas, said he recently spoke with Santander and asked him to publicly address the controversy.

However, Santander has yet to publicly comment or apologize. The 32-year-old Venezuelan and the sports management agency that represents him have not responded to multiple messages.

“There really aren’t words to express my level of disappointment,” Atkins told reporters.

The shared videos included a Christian preacher saying, “There is no such thing as kind Muslims,” with another suggesting Sharia law would be imposed on the U.S. after Abdul El-Sayed was elected to the Senate in Michigan.

Santander didn’t play at the big-league level last season due to injuries. He signed a five-year, US$92.5-million deal with Toronto in January 2025.

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