Blue Jays GM Condemns Santander’s Islamophobic Posts as Disappointing

WHO:

MLB.com - Ross Atkins, general manager of the Toronto Blue Jays, commented publicly on player Anthony Santander’s social media posts.

MLB.com - Santander is 32 years old.

MLB.com - The Blue Jays said their organization’s values include creating an inclusive experience for all fans.

MLB.com - The article said approximately 10% of Toronto’s population identifies as Muslim, according to the most recent Canadian census.

WHAT:

MLB.com - Atkins called Santander’s posts “extremely concerning, extremely disappointing” and said, “There really aren't words to express my level of disappointment with him making those comments.”

MLB.com - Atkins said he had expressed his disappointment to Santander and had spoken with him about his “lack of awareness.”

MLB.com - Atkins said the Blue Jays would work with Santander to learn from the incident.

MLB.com - The Blue Jays’ initial statement said: “Baseball is for everyone,” and that individual comments do not reflect the organization’s values and beliefs.

MLB.com - Santander shared posts discriminatory toward Muslims on his Instagram Stories and later deleted them.

MLB.com - Atkins said he told Santander that he should make a public statement about the posts.

MLB.com - Santander signed a five-year, $92.5 million deal with the Blue Jays and had appeared in 54 games over his first two seasons with the team, with a .565 OPS, while dealing with shoulder injuries.

MLB.com - Atkins said the matter was “much bigger” than building a baseball team.

Daily Mail Sports - The posts included attacks on Islam and Abdul El-Sayed after El-Sayed’s victory in Michigan’s midterm elections.

NY Post - Santander’s anti-Muslim social media posts drew criticism from his employer.

Sportskeeda - Santander’s Instagram Stories posts were discriminatory toward Muslims.

WHERE:

MLB.com - Atkins spoke in Toronto and was in Las Vegas for the annual general managers’ meetings at the Aria Resort and Casino.

MLB.com - The posts attracted attention in Canada, particularly Toronto.

Daily Mail Sports - The election-related posts concerned Michigan.

MLB.com - The Blue Jays’ “Night Mode” City Connect uniforms feature “Diversity is Our Strength” inside the collar; the phrase comes from Toronto’s coat of arms.

WHY:

MLB.com - Atkins said comments that exacerbate anti-Islamic hate were deeply concerning and disappointing.

HOW:

MLB.com - Atkins addressed the issue publicly, spoke directly with Santander, and urged him to make a public statement.

MLB.com - The Blue Jays described their ballpark experience as inclusive and said individual comments do not represent the organization.

Ross Atkins condemned Blue Jays player Anthony Santander’s discriminatory anti-Muslim posts as deeply concerning and disappointing. Atkins confronted Santander and urged him to make a public statement. Toronto reaffirmed its commitment to inclusion, saying individual comments don’t represent the organization’s values.