Prime Minister Mark Carney playfully teased Donald Trump on Thursday, suggesting that the U.S. president may be hesitant to make a bet against the Toronto Blue Jays before the 2025 World Series. Carney quipped that Trump “doesn’t like to lose” and humorously mentioned that Trump has not yet responded to his calls regarding the potential wager.
It is customary for leaders to engage in friendly bets supporting their respective countries before sporting events. In a past instance, former U.S. President Barack Obama and ex-Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper wagered two cases of beer on the outcome of the 2014 Canada-U.S. Olympic hockey matches.
Despite having only one Canadian-born player, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., the Blue Jays have been embraced as “Canada’s Team” due to their impressive postseason performance, earning support from fans nationwide.
Prime Minister Carney expressed confidence in the Blue Jays, predicting a victory in six games. He interacted with team executives but did not engage with players during his visit to the team’s practice before the World Series.
Following a challenging 2024 season, where they finished last in their division, the Blue Jays have made a remarkable comeback, reaching the World Series for the first time in thirty years. Carney drew parallels between the team’s teamwork and ambition and the success of Canada, emphasizing the importance of collaboration.
Carney’s upcoming travel plans to Malaysia, Singapore, and South Korea coincide with the World Series, keeping him away from the pivotal games against the Los Angeles Dodgers. This geographical distance may offer relief to superstitious fans who recall the “leaders’ curse” during the 2015 postseason.
The supposed curse, where losses coincided with the attendance of political leaders, seems to have been debunked as Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre attended a recent game where the Blue Jays triumphed.
During a visit to the White House earlier this month, Carney shared his optimism about the Blue Jays’ success with Trump. Trump acknowledged the team’s strong performance as they geared up for Game 1 of the World Series against the Dodgers on Friday at 8 p.m. ET.