The Los Angeles Dodgers are set to take on the Toronto Blue Jays in the World Series, and the storylines are already in full force.
From the implications of the Dodgers becoming baseball’s first back-to-back champions in a quarter century, to Blue Jays slugger Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s ties to Canada via his father’s Hall of Fame career starting in Montreal, and even a well-known disagreement between two famous rappers playing a role, there is a lot of stake.
Something that manager Dave Roberts was not expecting to be asked about, however, was if Blue Jays fans would be jeering reigning World Series MVP Freddie Freeman.
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“I’m a little confused, why?’’ Roberts said. “You know where he praises his country, he has played for Team Canada, he was traded here. So yeah, he’s a baseball player who loves the U.S., loves Canada, he’s a a heck of a player, even a better person.
“I don’t know what the Blue Jays fans have in store for him, but I don’t think he’ll be fazed by it.’’
If there is booing pertaining to Freeman’s .310 batting average and six home runs in 11-career World Series games, that would make sense. If the booing is related to Freeman representing Team Canada during international play to honor his late-mother and father who were born there, it would be nonsensical.
Freeman spoke on what it will be like to play in Canada, knowing his familiar ties to the country, but also doesn’t know what kind of reception he will receive.
“It’s going to be pretty special,’’ Freeman said. “I’m not so sure the Canadian fans, the Blue Jays fans, will be cheering for me this time around like I was in the WBC the last couple of times.”
Game 1 of the World Series begins on Friday at Rogers Centre, with first pitch scheduled for 5 p.m. PST.
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Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
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