2025 World Series: Can the ‘Fall Classic’ Help Improve United States-Canada Relations?
It’s more than just a game. When the Toronto Blue Jays march into the World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers this Friday, they won’t just be playing for a trophy. They’ll be carrying the weight, pride, and simmering frustration of an entire nation on their shoulders. Let’s be real, the relationship between the U.S. and Canada has seen better days. It’s been rockier than a Canadian Shield granite quarry, and baseball, of all things, has become the new battleground.
What Led To Strained Relations?
After U.S. President Donald Trump casually suggested Canada could become the “51st state,” you could practically hear a collective “Oh, no you didn’t” from 41 million people. Now, with the Jays making a once-in-a-generation run to the World Series, the timing couldn’t be more poetic. It’s a chance for Canada to land a haymaker in the cultural heavyweight bout, using America’s own pastime as the glove.
“Nobody wants to be the 51st state,” said Geoffrey Fulton, a 54-year-old fan whose Maple Leaf bandana has become his game-day armor. “We’re going to show America that we’re going to beat them at their favorite pastime. It would just be great for our country.” And he’s not wrong. The sentiment is palpable from coast to coast.
A Nation United By the World Series
Unlike hockey, where Canadian loyalties are split between several teams, the Blue Jays are the lone warrior for the Great White North in Major League Baseball. The country has rallied behind them in a way that feels almost primal. In Calgary, over 2,000 miles from Toronto, a Flames hockey game erupted in cheers when the announcer broke the news of George Springer’s go-ahead homer against Seattle. It’s a moment that transcends sport; it’s a national communion.
You could see the raw emotion in Toronto. Braeden McNeil, a 28-year-old fan, was fighting back tears after the ALCS win. “It’s extra special. They can say what they want, 51st state. We are our own country,” he said, his voice thick with emotion. “We’re going to the World Series. It doesn’t matter if we’re the underdogs.”
From the Dugout To the Diplomatic Suite
Even the team’s American-born manager, John Schneider, has caught the fever. “I feel like I’m more Canadian,” the New Jersey native said. “I love drinking beer, I like drinking Tim Horton’s. I’m one of them.” He gets it. This isn’t just about winning games; it’s about representing a country that’s feeling a little bruised by its southern neighbor.
This geopolitical drama has even reached the highest offices. When Prime Minister Mark Carney recently met with President Trump, he could not resist a little friendly jab. “We’re coming down for the World Series, Mr. President,” Carney boasted. Trump, ever the showman, played along. “By the way, they are looking pretty good,” he said.
It’s a far cry from the sour notes of recent months, where booing national anthems and trade tariff threats dominated the headlines. For now, the tension has found a new, more thrilling outlet: the diamond. The Blue Jays’ last trip to the World Series was back in 1993. After more than 30 years, they are not just back to win a championship. They are here to make a statement.
