The Toronto Blue Jays issued a public apology Thursday after outfielder Anthony Santander posted a series of anti-Muslim messages on Instagram following Abdul El-Sayed’s election victory in Michigan, where he became the first Muslim elected to the U.S. Senate after defeating Mike Rogers.
Santander wrote in his Instagram Stories, “America voted for Sharia last night!” and in a separate post claimed, “Muslims are not peaceful.”
The team responded with a statement from CEO and president Mark Shapiro, posted to the Blue Jays’ Instagram account.
“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 statement said the episode was an “opportunity to listen and learn” and that it “reaffirm[ed] our beliefs and values as an organization,” adding, “We condemn Islamophobia and all forms of hate.”
Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins had already weighed in before the team’s formal apology, telling reporters he confronted Santander directly.
“There really aren’t words to express my level of disappointment with him making those comments. I’ve expressed that to him. Anything exacerbating some level of anti-Islamic hate is just extremely concerning, extremely disappointing.”
An earlier team statement 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, a 2024 All-Star with the Baltimore Orioles, signed a five-year, $92.5 million contract with Toronto before the 2025 season. He played just 50 games that year before missing the entirety of the 2026 season following shoulder surgery and a subsequent back injury during rehab, according to the California Post.
