In a season brimming with national pride and political undertones, the Toronto Blue Jays’ improbable World Series appearance isn’t just about baseball; it’s a powerful statement of Canadian identity against a backdrop of strained US-Canada relations and the divisive rhetoric of President Donald Trump.
The city of Toronto is buzzing, and indeed, an entire country is holding its breath. For the first time since 1993, the Toronto Blue Jays are in the World Series, hosting the Los Angeles Dodgers for Game 1 on October 24, 2025. This once-in-a-generation playoff run comes after triumphs over the Seattle Mariners in the ALCS and a dramatic elimination of the New York Yankees.
However, this year’s Fall Classic is more than just a baseball championship; it’s become a deeply personal and political event for Canadians. With relations between the U.S. and Canada at historic lows, fueled by American tariffs and President Trump’s controversial remarks about making Canada the “51st state,” the Blue Jays’ pursuit of America’s pastime title is seen by many as an act of national defiance.
A Nation United Behind its Only MLB Team
Unlike hockey, which boasts several Canadian teams, the Blue Jays stand as Canada’s sole representative in Major League Baseball. This singular status naturally garners immense national support, intensified by the current geopolitical climate. Fans across the country view this series as an opportunity to assert Canadian sovereignty and pride.
Geoffrey Fulton, a 54-year-old Blue Jays fanatic, encapsulated this sentiment perfectly: “Nobody wants to be the 51st state. We’re going to show America that we’re going to beat them at their favorite pastime.” His resolve, and that of many others, grew after witnessing Yankees fans boo the Canadian national anthem in a prior playoff round, an incident that saw Fulton’s Blue Jays wig stolen, as reported by USA TODAY Sports.
This feeling of collective purpose extends even to those typically unconcerned with politics. Michael Murray, a 75-year-old former Canadian Football League official, spent $1,800 on a Game 1 ticket, stating, “It means everything to this country. Especially with what’s going on with the United States. You know about it. They’ve been horrible.”
The ’51st State’ and Economic Boycotts
The tensions run deep. President Trump’s suggestions of Canada becoming the 51st state, coupled with imposing tariffs on Canadian imports, have ignited an “undeniable sense of betrayal” among Canadians. This has led to a significant boycott of U.S. travel and products, directly impacting American border towns.
For instance, when the Blue Jays visited Seattle earlier in the season, attendance from Canadian fans was notably down by about 3,000 people compared to previous visits. Canadian travelers, worried about increasingly invasive searches at the U.S. border, have opted to stay home, resulting in an estimated 4 million fewer Canadians traveling to the U.S. this year and a projected $4.3 billion in lost tourism revenue, according to reports by The Washington Post. Businesses in Seattle even offered specials to lure Canadians back.
Amidst this climate, government-backed campaigns like “Choose Canada” promote domestic tourism and a stronger national identity. The phrase “Elbows Up,” coined by hockey legend Gordie Howe, has re-emerged as a popular hashtag, symbolizing Canada’s willingness to stand firm against perceived aggression. As history professor Rick Halpern notes, it captures Canadians’ willingness to abandon their default setting of non-aggression when events warrant, rejecting any notion of becoming the 51st state.
A Canadian Spirit, Regardless of Origin
The sentiment is so strong that even American-born members of the Blue Jays organization feel a deep connection to their adopted home. Manager John Schneider, originally from New Jersey, proudly declared, “I feel like I’m more Canadian. I love drinking beer, I like drinking Tim Hortons. I’m one of them.”
Similarly, star player George Springer, from Connecticut, expressed his pride: “So happy for our team, our fans, our city, our country.” This shared identity underscores how the team has become a unifying force for the nation, transcending the players’ birthplaces.
Prime Minister Mark Carney even used a meeting with President Trump to boast about the Blue Jays, to which Trump conceded, “By the way they are looking pretty good.” This lighthearted exchange hints at the cultural significance of the Blue Jays’ success, even as political tensions simmer.
Past Triumphs and Modern Significance
The Blue Jays’ last World Series appearances were in 1992 and 1993, when they clinched back-to-back championships. While there was a minor political blip in 1992 when the U.S. Marine Corps displayed the Canadian flag upside-down, political relations were not a significant issue then. Today, the stakes are different.
This World Series run draws parallels to other recent moments of Canadian national pride:
- The Toronto Raptors’ 2019 NBA championship, which saw an entire nation rally around its lone NBA franchise.
- Canada’s victory in February’s 4 Nations Face-Off hockey tournament, where Connor McDavid scored an overtime goal against the U.S. weeks after Trump’s inauguration, turning the game into a geopolitical statement.
For fans like Josh Antonio, attending ALCS Game 7, a Blue Jays championship would “liberate us” and “make the whole entire country come together, just like we came together for the Raptors. This is for all of us.”
While some Canadians, like a 39-year-old Torontonian named “Joe,” remain unbothered by the politics, viewing the U.S. as a “good country” and Trump as merely “looking out for his people,” the prevailing sentiment is one of a nation finding its voice and pride through its beloved baseball team. This World Series is more than just a quest for a trophy; it’s a profound statement of Canadian identity in a challenging political era.
