Shohei Ohtani front and centre in Toronto ahead of World Series

TORONTO – John Schneider joked that Shohei Ohtani owes the Blue Jays a hat.

Toronto courted the dual-threat superstar during free agency in December 2023, including a secret meeting at the club’s spring training facility where he grabbed some memorabilia on his way out the door, before ultimately signing a 10-year, US$700-million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

“I hope he brought it back finally — and the jacket for Decoy (Ohtani’s dog),” Schneider said with a grin Thursday. “It’s like, give us our stuff back already.”

Ohtani probably didn’t pack the swag he was handed some 20 months ago for this trip north of the border. The Japanese sporting icon did, however, bring the usual hype train.

And the accompanying media horde that follows him around the continent each baseball season.

The 31-year-old — a unique combination of power hitter and ace right-handed pitcher — was on centre stage as players from both the defending-champion Dodgers and underdog Blue Jays met the media ahead of the World Series.

Ohtani’s seat in the bowels of the cavernous Rogers Centre was surrounded by a wall of cameras and reporters from around the world. 

No fewer than 109 members of the Japanese media alone have been accredited for the Fall Classic as the Dodgers look to repeat against a team making its first appearance since the Jays won back-to-back titles in 1992 and 1993.

“Special player,” said Jays rookie right-hander Trey Yesavage, who will start Friday’s Game 1. “He can do damage on both sides of the baseball.”

Ohtani hit 55 home runs in the regular season as he continued to work back to full health on the pitching front after undergoing Tommy John surgery on his right elbow.

The six-foot-three, 210-pound powerhouse then wrote another memorable chapter in his story when he hit three home runs and struck out 10 batters in Game 4 of the National League Championship Series to help complete a four-game sweep of the Milwaukee Brewers.

“Every all-star game I’ve been asked about him,” Los Angeles first baseman Freddie Freeman said. “And we can still keep talking about him year in and year out — that’s just how special he is. You can talk about him every single year and still have more words the next year, because he’s that amazing.”

A dual Canadian-American citizen who played for Canada at the World Baseball Classic in both 2017 and 2023, Freeman sometimes wonders if Ohtani is even human.

“It’s just … I just don’t understand,” he said. “You’re just like, make sure it’s not a machine under there. I’m just glad that I’m alive and in this generation that I get to see Shohei Otani play baseball.” 

Jays pitcher Max Scherzer said what he’s doing on the mound and at the plate is beneficial on a number of levels.

“Unbelievable,” said the 41-year-old looking for a third World Series ring. “And I just hope that Little Leaguers are watching him, dreaming of this and want to do that. All I hear is stories (of kids) just trying to be pitchers. That drives me nuts. Like, no, be a baseball player, go out there and play, hit, pitch. Do everything, play multiple sports.

“He’s great for the game, and hopefully the kids are seeing that.” 

Toronto designated hitter George Springer said facing Ohtani isn’t ideal, but added his team will have a plan of attack whenever that dominant force steps on the mound in this seven-game matchup.

“He’s elite and he’s got six or seven different things he can throw,” said Springer, whose three-run homer in Game 7 of the American League Championship Series helped the Jays get past the Seattle Mariners. “What gets lost for a lot of people is how he competes. He competes his ass off. He’s one of the best arms in the world. He has been for a long time.

Winnipeg Free Press | Newsletter

Mike McIntyre | On Sports

Thursdays

Keep up to date on sports with Mike McIntyre's weekly newsletter.

Sign up for Mike McIntyre | On Sports

Sign Up

I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement.

“When we have to face him, I’m sure it’ll be grind.”

Toronto’s brain trust thought it had a real chance to land Ohtani in a move that would have brought the franchise closer to a World Series here.

Now both parties are here — just on opposite sides.

“Great player,” Schneider said. “But we have a great team and just an unbelievable cast of characters and players. I think things worked out the way they’re meant to work out.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 23, 2025.