Shohei Ohtani Laughs off Blue Jays Fans’ “We Don’t Need You” Chants Ahead of Game 3

The Toronto Blue Jays fans would taunt Shohei Ohtani with "We Don't Need You" chants in Game 1, referring to his free agency saga in 2023.

Shohei Ohtani Laughs off Blue Jays Fans’ “We Don’t Need You” Chants Ahead of Game 3

Shohei Ohtani (Image via Imago)

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Shohei Ohtani and the Los Angeles Dodgers are back at home in Los Angeles for Game 3 of the World Series. Ahead of this clash against the Toronto Blue Jays, the Japanese international laughed off the “We Don’t Need You” chants of the Blue Jays fans directed at him in Game 1.

The Rogers Centre was bouncing with joy in Game 1 after the Blue Jays exploded in the 6th inning. Following a pinch-hit grand slam from Addison Barger and a two-run home run from Alejandro Kirk, the 2025 American League champions put 9 runs in the 6th inning and took an 11-2 lead.

Ohtani would crush a 2-run home run in the 7th inning, which cut the deficit to 11-4. However, the Dodgers were well and truly blown away in this game.

With two outs in the 9th inning, Ohtani came up to bat once again. During his at-bat, loud chants of “We Don’t Need You” would break out across the stadium. Fans would throw this chant at the two-way star, taking a dig at his free agency saga in 2023.

Ohtani became a free agent after the 2023 season. The Blue Jays were one of the teams that participated in his huge sweepstakes. The 31-year-old would meet with the Blue Jays organization and discuss about a move.

In the end, he chose the Dodgers. He would make a switch from the Los Angeles Angels to the Los Angeles Dodgers on a 10-year $700 million deal, making it one of the biggest deals in MLB history.

The Blue Jays fanbase was left heartbroken by this. In Game 1, they would make their feelings known regarding Ohtani. As he entered the field earlier in the game, fans would loudly boo him.

Ahead of Game 3 on Monday, Ohtani would laugh off this chant. While speaking to the reporters through his interpreter, Will Ireton, the two-way expressed that his wife “appreciated” those chants.

It was a really great chant, and my wife really appreciated it.

Shohei Ohtani told the reporters

Dave Roberts claims Shohei Ohtani was likely not affected by chants from Blue Jays fans

Shohei Ohtani was subjected to some brutal chants by the Toronto Blue Jays fans in Game 1. Los Angeles Dodgers’ manager Dave Roberts would later comment on this and expressed that the 3-time MVP was likely not affected by them.

Dave Roberts and Shohei Ohtani
Dave Roberts and Shohei Ohtani (Image via Dodger Blue)

In the press conference on Saturday, the 53-year-old expressed that Ohtani probably did not understand what the fans were chanting. The skipper clarified that the player however understood why he was getting booed by the crowd.

Well, I don’t think he understood the chants. So that’s one part of it. As far as being booed, I think that he understands why he was booed. I don’t think he minds it. I don’t think it necessarily fuels his fire. I’ve used this word with Shohei a lot. He’s just a really good compartmentalizer, so I don’t think it really affects him, and he’s just there to just do his job.

Dave Roberts on Blue Jays fans’ chants at Shohei Ohtani

Ohtani and his teammates would go on to win 5-1 in Game 2. A second successive complete game from Yoshinobu Yamamoto tied the series at 1-1.

The action now shifts to Dodger Stadium in LA. Ohtani is expected to start Game 4 on Tuesday after Tyler Glasnow takes the mound on Monday. The Dodgers would be hoping to get the job done at home with 3 wins and retain the title.

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