Shohei Ohtani had long anticipated facing boos in Toronto.

The highly anticipated World Series will officially start tomorrow (the 25th) Beijing time. During today’s media day, the relationship between Shohei Ohtani and the Toronto Blue Jays attracted significant media attention, and the baseball star revealed for the first time the reasons behind his decision to join the Dodgers rather than the Blue Jays.

Reflecting on the 2023 free agency, Ohtani was pursued by many elite teams. When the Blue Jays entered the competition, rumors circulated that he would choose Toronto, even reports that he had boarded a flight there. However, he ultimately accepted the Dodgers’ record-breaking 10-year, $700 million contract. In the 2024 season, he achieved an unprecedented feat with 54 home runs and 59 stolen bases, becoming the first player in MLB history to reach the "50 home runs and 50 stolen bases" milestone, leading his team to the World Series championship.

Now fate has brought him face-to-face with the Blue Jays again on the World Series stage. Speaking about the Blue Jays, Ohtani said, "Their lineup is very strong with powerful offense, and their pitching staff is solid as well. They’re a well-rounded team that’s tough to compete against. But we will focus on playing to our own strengths."

Recalling his initial interactions with the Blue Jays, he said, "That negotiation experience was very valuable to me. From the management to the players, I was very impressed. I have always thought they are an excellent team. Facing such a team and those players in the World Series feels very special."

When asked by the media why he chose the Dodgers despite his high praise for the Blue Jays, Ohtani smiled and replied, "In the end, you can only pick one team. If possible, I would like to experience different team environments, as that’s part of a player’s career." He added, "As I said earlier, the Blue Jays are a great team, and Canada is a beautiful country. Playing there would surely be an unforgettable experience."

Regarding whether he expects to hear boos from fans in Toronto, Ohtani showed a positive attitude: "Last time I played here, I did hear some boos, but I will use that experience as motivation to keep moving forward."