Sports as a Reflection of National Pride
19th-century Prussian military theorist Carl von Clausewitz famously claimed that war is “the continuation of politics by other means.” Similarly, as Toronto prepares for a crucial baseball matchup against a powerful American team, there is a sentiment emerging in Canada suggesting that sports can also serve as a platform for political expression.
In the past year, Canada has found itself in a diplomatic and economic standoff with its major trading partner and historical ally. On Friday, the Toronto Blue Jays, Canada’s sole Major League Baseball team, will compete against the Los Angeles Dodgers in a match that many Canadians view as a testament to their growing influence in baseball and a reflection of national pride.
The landscape of international sports in Canada changed notably after Donald Trump threatened to annex Canada, proposing to make it the “51st state” of the U.S. This heightened tension was palpable when, amid Trump’s rhetoric, Canada triumphed over the U.S. in the Four Nations ice hockey tournament, with fans expressing their emotions by booing each other’s national anthems.
After Canada’s victory in that overtime match, former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau encapsulated the nation’s sentiment with a social media post that exclaimed, “You can’t take our country – and you can’t take our game.” Friday’s game in Toronto follows the Blue Jays’ impressive wins against the New York Yankees and Seattle Mariners, making it the first major professional sports final for both countries since the previous year’s hockey showdown.
While bilateral tensions have eased recently as Prime Minister Mark Carney negotiates new trade agreements, many Canadians persist with boycotts of American goods. In a recent Oval Office meeting, Trump commented on a notable decline in Canadian visits to the U.S., stating, “The people of Canada, they will love us again.” Carney seized the moment to highlight the Blue Jays’ revival, telling Trump, “We’re coming down for the World Series, Mr. President.”
This week, Carney expressed his excitement about the Blue Jays following their surprising and dramatic win over the Seattle Mariners, marking the team’s first World Series appearance in over thirty years. Unlike hockey, where six Canadian teams play, the Blue Jays are the sole Major League Baseball team uniting fans across the entire country.
While baseball is extremely popular in the U.S., the Blue Jays’ recent postseason journey emphasizes the sport’s deep Canadian roots. Early professional teams emerged in southern Ontario, and baseball legends like Babe Ruth and Jackie Robinson made significant contributions to the sport while in Canada. Liam Mooney, a designer whose “Canada is Not For Sale” hats gained viral popularity, believes that along with hockey, baseball plays a critical role in the Canadian identity. He remarked, “We’re the co-authors of what is today Major League Baseball. This year we’re definitely coming for America’s pastime.”
