Jays fans hit Ohtani with 'don't need you' chants

"Toronto Blue Jays fans let Shohei Ohtani hear it before and during Game 1 of the World Series, their disapproval of him not picking their team in free agency in 2023 clearly still evident Friday night at Rogers Centre. Before signing a $700 million, 10-year contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers, the two-way star met with Blue Jays officials on Dec. 4, 2023, at the team's spring training complex in Dunedin, Florida."

"They then chanted "We don't need you!" while he batted in the ninth inning. He walked in that at-bat, then was nearly picked off a moment later by left-hander Eric Lauer with two outs. Ohtani was ruled safe after a video review but was ultimately stranded on the bases as Toronto closed out the 11-4 win. "Don't poke the bear," Blue Jays pitcher Chris Bassitt warned about the Ohtani chants."

""I couldn't help but laugh," he said. "We have the guys we have, and the guys we have have done a hell of a job. I don't think we need any more of what we have right now." Toronto's George Springer said everybody heard the chant. "At the end of the day, Shohei Ohtani is an unbelievable baseball player. Any team that he would be on, it would be awesome. But he's over there and not here," Springer said."

Blue Jays fans loudly booed Shohei Ohtani before and during Game 1 of the World Series and chanted "We don't need you!" while he batted in the ninth. Ohtani previously met with Blue Jays officials on Dec. 4, 2023, before signing a $700 million, 10-year deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers. He walked in the ninth and was nearly picked off but was ruled safe, ultimately stranded as Toronto won 11-4. Players and staff reacted with humor and warning; teammates praised Ohtani's talent while emphasizing confidence in the current Blue Jays roster. Ohtani hit a two-run homer in the seventh.

Read at ESPN.com