Blue Jays manager humorously asked Shohei Ohtani to return a Blue Jays cap and a custom dog jacket but was laughed off.

The World Series showdown between the Toronto Blue Jays and Los Angeles Dodgers is about to begin, and Blue Jays manager John Schneider humorously mentioned hoping Shohei Ohtani would return the Blue Jays cap and the special jacket made for his dog Decoy that he was given during their meeting. Ohtani laughed and replied that these mementos are carefully kept in his garage and will be treasured, not given back.

Looking back to the end of 2023, when the Blue Jays joined the pursuit of Shohei Ohtani, the team’s general manager Ross Atkins, along with Schneider, team president Mark Shapiro, and chairman Edward Rogers, welcomed Ohtani at the Blue Jays spring training facility in Florida.

Schneider recalled in 2024: "The scene was like greeting a president, no exaggeration." He also shared a detail: "When Ohtani left, he carefully packed all the souvenirs he received. The most memorable moment was when he headed to his car with his dog Decoy wearing the specially customized Canadian-style pet jacket, hopping along behind him."

However, Ohtani ultimately chose to join the Dodgers. On the eve of the World Series, Schneider admitted in an interview: "My meeting with him felt very positive, and the feedback he gave was encouraging. I believe he was impressed with our team organization and the opportunities here. But in free agency, no one can truly predict a player’s decision, as many personal factors come into play. Dwelling on 'what if' scenarios is pointless; we just need to focus on the 26 players on our roster now."

He then added humorously: "He really is an extraordinary player. Still, I hope he returns the team cap and the special jacket we gave to Decoy during that meeting. It’s like saying, 'Please give back our souvenirs.'"

Hearing this, Ohtani chuckled and replied: "They’re all safely kept in the garage." When asked if he would return them, he laughed and firmly declined: "No, no, I will always treasure these gifts."

"That free agency experience was very valuable to me; everyone, including the team’s top executives, left a strong and positive impression," Ohtani said. "Facing them again on such a grand stage as the World Series is exciting in itself."

He further explained: "Of course, a professional career ultimately means choosing one team. Having the chance to experience different team environments is something every player considers. But as I have repeatedly emphasized, the Blue Jays are an excellent team, and Canada is a beautiful country. Playing here is a rare and valuable experience, and I truly appreciate the opportunity to compete in this matchup."