Key Takeaways
- The episode examines how politics, particularly anti-Trump sentiment, influenced World Series loyalties.
- A listener poll questioned if anti-Trump sentiment swayed support to the Canadian Blue Jays over the Dodgers.
- National pride, economic factors like tariffs, and team payroll were cited as influences on fan allegiances.
- Callers provided diverse reasons for rooting choices, including politics, historical context, and team rivalries.
- Many US states, excluding four, reportedly rooted against the Dodgers, seen as 'villains' due to high payroll.
Deep Dive
- The episode introduced the 18-inning Dodgers-Blue Jays game, which concluded at 2:50 AM ET with the Dodgers winning 6-5, taking a 2-1 series lead.
- The marathon game lasted six hours and 39 minutes, featuring Freddie Freeman's game-winning homer and Shohei Otani's record-breaking on-base performance.
- A listener poll questioned whether rooting interests in the World Series were influenced by politics, specifically anti-Trump sentiment leading to support for the Canadian Blue Jays.
- Fan data indicated most North American states rooted against the Dodgers, identifying them as baseball's 'villains' due due to their high payroll and recent success.
- An essay from Slate suggested that supporting the Toronto Blue Jays, playing in their first fall classic since 1992-93, could be a patriotic act for Americans amid current political turmoil.
- National pride and economic factors, such as tariffs on Canadian imports, were discussed as influences on support for the Blue Jays.
- The manager of the Blue Jays acknowledged the potential for the World Series to become a Canada versus America narrative.
- Data showed only four U.S. states (Utah, Nevada, Hawaii, and California) were rooting for the Dodgers, prompting questions about political factors.
- A caller from Wilmington, North Carolina, argued sports should unite people and criticized political allegiances influencing World Series choices as absurd.
- A caller from Ithaca confirmed politics influenced their World Series rooting choice, citing the Dodgers' history of displacing Mexican immigrant families and the CEO's support for ICE.
- Another caller, a self-identified Yankee fan, related to the sentiment of team payroll influencing fan choices, drawing a parallel to the Steinbrenner era.
- One caller stated they could no longer enjoy a Dodgers game due to political awareness, recalling observing a strong, family-oriented fan base at a previous game.
- A caller from Pennsylvania explained her support for the Dodgers was rooted in a negative childhood experience with the Blue Jays, specifically mentioning Joe Carter's impact at age 14.
- A caller from Long Island, a Yankee fan, decided to root for the Blue Jays, attributing this to the Trump administration's treatment of Canada and a general discontent.
- The host recounted a neighbor's yard sign reading 'Dear Canada, we hate him too,' speculating this sentiment aligned with supporting the Blue Jays against the Dodgers.
- A caller from Alberta, Canada, asserted politics as a primary factor, citing poll data showing high favorability for Canada and low favorability for Donald Trump, linking Blue Jays support to opposition against U.S. trade policies.
- While internal Canadian resentment exists towards Toronto's perceived self-importance, external opposition from the U.S. unites Canadians in supporting the Blue Jays.
- A Cleveland, Ohio, fan disliked the Dodgers due to their perceived 'buying titles' and $1.5 billion in contracts, believing the public supported the Blue Jays due to Canada being 'picked on' and their underdog status.
- The discussion included the idea that some rooted for the underdog Toronto Blue Jays due to a dislike of former President Trump, framing it as a political stance.
- Callers argued that 'MAGA Republicans' may despise California, including figures like Gavin Newsom and cities like Los Angeles, more than Canada, influencing their sports allegiances.
- A caller from Myrtle Beach explained his lifelong support for the Giants and Red Sox, leading to a disdain for the Dodgers, was the reason he rooted for Toronto, emphasizing team rivalry over politics.
- A caller from Manitoba expressed rooting for the Blue Jays due to regional differences within Canada and anticipation of former President Trump's reaction if they won, despite political disinclination to support them.
- A caller suggested Blue Jays owner Ed Rogers had a relationship with Donald Trump, evidenced by a Mar-a-Lago visit after January 6th, potentially influencing perceptions.