Blue Jays Disavow Santander’s Anti-Muslim Posts — SkimNews
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- Blue Jays said Santander’s anti-Muslim videos did not represent the organization’s values or beliefs, declaring that baseball is for everyone and that the club had created an inclusive ballpark experience where all fans feel welcome.
- Anthony Santander posted the series on his social-media account in the aftermath of the U.S. midterm elections and deleted the videos Thursday.
- Abdul El-Sayed was elected to the Senate in Michigan; one video suggested Sharia law would be imposed on the U.S., while another quoted a Christian preacher saying, "There is no such thing as kind Muslims."
- Abdul El-Sayed, the son of Egyptian immigrants, was set to become the first Muslim American U.S. senator after facing Islamophobic campaign rhetoric; he often mocked critics on the right while championing the Palestinian cause and emphasizing his faith and heritage.
- Anthony Santander, 32, missed the entire year after undergoing shoulder surgery following his first season in Toronto.
- Anthony Santander spent his first eight major-league seasons with Baltimore before signing a five-year, $92.5 million contract with Toronto.
Why it matters: The Blue Jays’ response explicitly separated Santander’s anti-Muslim posts from the organization’s inclusion pledge, a distinction that carries weight for a five-year, $92.5 million signing. Santander had already deleted the videos Thursday, but the statement made clear that his social-media conduct was not the team’s position.
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