Freddie Freeman, a dual Canadian-American citizen and star player for the Los Angeles Dodgers, expressed his excitement about returning to Toronto despite potential mixed reactions from Blue Jays fans. As a former player for Team Canada in the World Baseball Classics, Freeman has deep connections to Canada, with his late mother hailing from Peterborough, Ont., and his father from Windsor, Ont. Though raised in Southern California, Freeman always feels closer to his Canadian roots when in Toronto.
Ahead of the World Series games at Rogers Centre, Freeman shared his anticipation of the special moments he experiences in Toronto, including receiving family photos from relatives and feeling a strong connection to his mother. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts defended Freeman against any potential backlash from Blue Jays fans, emphasizing Freeman’s love for both the U.S. and Canada and his exceptional skills as a player.
Freeman, a nine-time all-star and two-time World Series champion, acknowledged the Blue Jays’ strong fan support and the excitement surrounding their first World Series appearance in over 30 years. Despite his impressive track record in the post-season, Freeman remains respectful of the Blue Jays’ capabilities and the support they receive from their loyal fan base.
Meanwhile, fans of Dodgers’ star Shohei Ohtani, who had been a target for the Blue Jays in the past, expressed their continued allegiance to the home team despite Ohtani’s decision to sign with the Dodgers. The anticipation for the World Series games was palpable among fans, with many expressing disappointment over Ohtani’s choice but maintaining their support for the Blue Jays.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts announced the starting pitchers for the first two games of the World Series, with Blake Snell set to start Game 1 and Yoshinobu Yamamoto following in Game 2. The pitching order mirrors the successful strategy used in the National League Championship Series, with Snell delivering a stellar performance in Game 1 and Yamamoto showcasing his pitching prowess in Game 2.
As the excitement builds for the World Series showdown between the Dodgers and the Blue Jays, fans and players alike are gearing up for what promises to be a thrilling and competitive series on the baseball diamond.