Toronto’s rabid fan base may have a point in not needing Shohei Ohtani, as the Blue Jays beat the Dodgers 11-4 in Game 1 of the World Series on Friday. Mark Blinch / Getty Images
By Tim Britton
Oct. 24, 2025Updated Oct. 25, 2025 12:08 am EDT
In the ninth inning of a Game 1 romp, fans at Rogers Centre had some fun at Shohei Ohtani’s expense. As Ohtani came to the plate with two outs in the ninth inning of the Toronto Blue Jays’ 11-4 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday night, the crowd chanted “We don’t need you!” at the two-way superstar.
Blue Jays fans chanted “We don’t need you” with Shohei Ohtani at the plate.
Toronto nearly signed Ohtani in December 2023.
🎥 @timmacdonell pic.twitter.com/wJTr3X9ms8
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) October 25, 2025
The Blue Jays, of course, had aggressively pursued Ohtani two winters ago, when the Japanese designated hitter/pitcher opted to sign a long-term deal with the Dodgers.
Ohtani eventually worked a five-pitch walk against Eric Lauer and was nearly picked off to end the game. Mookie Betts instead struck out to seal Toronto’s victory.
The Blue Jays didn’t need Ohtani on Friday, when their offense exploded for nine runs in the sixth inning. Addison Barger hit the first pinch-hit grand slam in World Series history to bust the game open.
Ohtani didn’t fare so poorly himself, hitting a two-run home run in the seventh inning off Braydon Fisher. It was Ohtani’s first homer in a World Series.
Oct 25, 2025
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