Prime Minister Mark Carney playfully teased Donald Trump on Thursday, suggesting that the U.S. president might be hesitant to wager against the Toronto Blue Jays in the upcoming 2025 World Series. Carney humorously remarked that Trump “doesn’t like to lose” and noted that Trump hadn’t responded to his proposed bet yet.
It is customary for leaders to engage in friendly bets supporting their respective countries before major sporting events. In a previous instance, Barack Obama and former Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper wagered two cases of beer on the outcomes of the 2014 Canada-U.S. Olympic hockey matches.
Although the Blue Jays are the only remaining MLB team in the country, they have garnered nationwide support and earned the moniker “Canada’s Team” due to their impressive postseason journey, resonating with fans across Canada.
Meeting with key figures in the team’s leadership, including president and CEO Mark Shapiro, general manager Ross Atkins, and manager John Schneider, Carney expressed his admiration for the team’s unity and work ethic. He highlighted the parallels between the Blue Jays’ teamwork and Canada’s overall progress.
Carney’s travel plans to Malaysia, Singapore, and South Korea coinciding with the World Series have sparked light-hearted comments about the timing. Notably, the supposed “leader curse” associated with political figures attending Blue Jays games in the past seems to have been broken, as Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre recently attended a game where the Blue Jays emerged victorious.
During a visit to the White House, Carney casually mentioned the World Series to Trump, who acknowledged the Blue Jays’ strong performance at the time. The Blue Jays are set to face the Dodgers in Game 1 of the World Series on Friday at 8 p.m. ET.