The Toronto Blue Jays have a unique chance to prove that great things can be done north of the continent, and there is one person in particular they want to make that point to: Donald Trump.
It’s worth remembering how the U.S. president has repeatedly referred to Canada as his country’s “51st state.”
Canada called me a couple of weeks ago. They want to be part of it. To which I said, well, why don’t you just join our country? Become 51, become the 51st state and you get it for free.”
This came after tariffs were imposed on several Canadian exports to the United States, and those comments naturally stirred deep resentment among Canadians.
That is why this World Series means so much more. For Canada, it is not just about baseball, it’s about asserting independence, national pride, and a distinct culture. Facing the Dodgers on the world stage offers a symbolic opportunity to compete as equals, country against country, in America’s pastime.
A national pride for Canada will be winning the World Series
Canadians are known for their warmth, honesty, and hospitality. They once formed the largest group of tourists in Las Vegas, but after Trump’s immigration policies and his harsh remarks during the trade dispute, many have stopped visiting.
It means everything to this country. Especially with what’s going on with the United States. You know about it. They’ve been horrible.
Those were the words of former Canadian Football Association president Michael Murray, who added:
Now, it’s water off our backs. We don’t care. If the news comes on, I hate to say this, but if they say Trump is going to be on next, I mute the TV.
I’ve cleared my head of that space right now. And a lot of Canadians have. But we don’t care about that because we don’t want to mix politics with baseball.
His comments reflect the feelings of many Canadians ahead of Game 1 of the Fall Classic. Murray paid $1,800 for his ticket to watch his team face the heavy favorites, the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Interestingly, Murray also attended the 1993 game in which the Jays captured the MLB title. Now, at 75, he admits,
At my age… I won’t ever see it again.
But Murray is not the only Canadian voice speaking with passion about this moment.
I think Canadians will feel a greater fervor with the outcome. The saber-rattling hasn’t stopped. You’re going to see many, many, many people who are fair-weather fans and many who are not baseball fans following this. Because it’s Canada vs. the U.S.
Those were the words of Rick Halpern, a history professor at the University of Toronto, who added:
There’s another discussion to be had about rivalry and the U.S. For a long time, I thought there’s no real Canadian identity, more defined by what it’s not: We don’t have guns. We’re not the U.S.
It will be interesting to watch as this World Series plays out. What is Fox going to say about multicultural Toronto, where one of two Torontonians were born in another country?
The showdown between the Dodgers and the Blue Jays will ignite fireworks, not only from the power of their bats and arms, but also from the cultural and political tension that simmers beneath this North American rivalry.
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