Blue Jays say RF Anthony Santander’s anti-Muslim posts do not represent team’s values

TORONTO (AP) – The Toronto Blue Jays say a series of anti-Muslim videos posted by Anthony Santander on the right-fielder's social media account do not represent the team's values and beliefs.

Key points

• The 32-year-old Santander is from Venezuela and missed the entire year after having shoulder surgery after his first season in Toronto.
• El-Sayed is the son of Egyptian immigrants and will become the first Muslim American U.S.
• The videos included a Christian preacher saying, "There is no such thing as kind Muslims, " with another suggesting Sharia law would be imposed on the U.S.
• "Baseball is for everyone, and the Blue Jays have created an inclusive experience where all fans feel welcome at our ballpark, " the team remarked.
• The team issued the statement after Santander posted the videos in the aftermath of the U.S.

Meanwhile, the team issued the statement after Santander posted the videos in the aftermath of the U.S. Midterm elections. He deleted them on Thursday.

Meanwhile, the videos included a Christian preacher saying, "There is no such thing as kind Muslims, " with another suggesting Sharia law would be imposed on the U.S. After Abdul El-Sayed was elected to the senate in Michigan.

El-Sayed is the son of Egyptian immigrants and will become the first Muslim American U.S. Senator. He was the target of Islamophobic rhetoric on the campaign trail, and often mocked his critics on the right while championing the Palestinian cause and leaning into his faith and heritage.

"Baseball is for everyone, and the Blue Jays have created an inclusive experience where all fans feel welcome at our ballpark, " the team remarked. "Individual comments do not represent our organization's values and beliefs."

Meanwhile, the 32-year-old Santander is from Venezuela and missed the entire year after having shoulder surgery after his first season in Toronto. He spent his first eight major league seasons with Baltimore before signing a five-year, $92.5 million contract with Toronto. See AP's full MLB coverage here.

Taken together, the developments around blue Jays say RF Anthony Santanders anti-Muslim posts do not represent teams point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.