Blue Jays apologize to Muslim community for Anthony Santander’s outburst — as he remains silent

Toronto Blue Jays president and CEO Mark Shapiro apologised to the Muslim community after outfielder Anthony Santander shared Islamophobic videos following Abdul El-Sayed’s victory in Michigan’s Senate race. The team says it has asked Santander to address the posts, but he has not done so; the episode has prompted repeated public criticism from the organisation and questions about his future with the club.

Santander, 32, shared two Instagram Story clips on 4 November, including claims that America had voted for Sharia and that Islam was not peaceful. General manager Ross Atkins said he was deeply disappointed, while Shapiro said the team had met Muslim community leaders to hear about the harm caused. Santander signed a five-year, $92.5 million contract before the 2025 season; Toronto still owes him $57.1 million, including a $5 million buyout for 2030. He played 54 games and hit .175 with six home runs and 18 runs batted in in 2025, after missing the previous season through injury.