Sports · Baseball · 10 mins ago
Blue Jays GM condemns Anthony Santander’s anti-Muslim social media posts
Toronto Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins condemned anti-Muslim posts shared by outfielder Anthony Santander after Abdul El-Sayed won a Senate seat in Michigan.
Santander shared posts suggesting the United States would impose Sharia law and attacking Islam; he has since deleted them.
Atkins said the posts were deeply disappointing and told Santander he should address them publicly.
The Blue Jays said the comments did not represent the organization’s values and stressed that baseball should welcome everyone.
El-Sayed has rejected claims that he would impose Sharia law, saying people should have religious freedom.
The posts raised concerns about anti-Muslim hate and the influence of a player with a large following.
Santander missed the entire 2026 season after undergoing surgery, and it is unclear whether he will make a public statement.
Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins condemned Anthony Santander’s anti-Muslim social media posts, calling them extremely disappointing.
Santander shared posts after Abdul El-Sayed won election to the Senate in Michigan, including memes about Sharia law and Islam.
The Blue Jays said individual comments do not represent the organization’s values and that the team aims to welcome all fans.
Santander has since deleted the posts, and Atkins said he told him he should address the matter publicly.
Santander missed the entire 2026 season after undergoing labral surgery.
- Who
- Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins condemned posts by Toronto player Anthony Santander.
- What
- Santander shared anti-Muslim posts on social media. Atkins said the comments were extremely disappointing.
- When
- Atkins spoke on Tuesday, November 10, 2026. Santander shared the posts after the U.S. midterm elections.
- Where
- The posts were shared on social media. El-Sayed’s election was in Michigan.
- Why
- Atkins said the posts could exacerbate anti-Islamic hate and did not align with the Blue Jays’ values.
Anthony Santander
Ross Atkins and the Toronto Blue Jays
Social media posts
Anthony Santander
Santander shared memes stating that Islam is not peaceful and suggesting the U.S. had voted for Sharia law.
Ross Atkins and the Toronto Blue Jays
Atkins called the posts extremely concerning and disappointing, and said Santander’s behavior did not align with the team’s values.
Santander shared anti-Muslim posts on social media, including memes about Islam and Sharia law.
Santander deleted the posts from his social media pages.
Atkins condemned the posts and said he had told Santander he should address the matter publicly.
- Player
- Anthony Santander
- General manager
- Ross Atkins
- Team
- Toronto Blue Jays
- Election
- Abdul El-Sayed won election to the Senate in Michigan
- Santander’s contract
- Five years, $92.5 million
- Missed season
- Santander missed the entire 2026 season after labral surgery
5 sources
Blue Jays GM denounces Anthony Santander's anti-Islam social media posts: 'Extremely disappointing'
Blue Jays GM blasts Anthony Santander over 'concerning' Islamophobic memes after Abdul El-Sayed's victory
Blue Jays executive responds to Anthony Santander's 'extremely disappointing' anti-Muslim social media posts
Blue Jays’ Atkins disappointed by Santander’s anti-Muslim posts
What people are saying
There really aren't words to express my level of disappointment
Anything exacerbating some level of anti-Islamic hate is just extremely concerning, extremely disappointing
Individual comments do not represent our organization's values and beliefs.
Nobody is trying to push Sharia law on anyone else, just like I hope nobody is trying to push [Catholic] canon law on anybody else, because we live in an America where you should have the freedom of your religion
Posts on X
Speaking to media in Las Vegas, Blue Jays GM Ross Atkins said “there really aren't words to express my level of disappointment” about Anthony Santander’s social media posts last week, adding “anything exacerbating some level of hate, anti-Islamic, is just extremely concerning and
Statement provided to me and @CTVToronto from the Toronto Blue Jays regarding Islamophobic social media posts shared by Anthony Santander on his Instagram. The posts have since been deleted.