The Los Angeles Dodgers and Toronto Blue Jays are meeting in the World Series for the first time ever, and while matchups between the teams are rare in general, they share plenty of connections.
The Blue Jays pursued Shohei Ohtani and Roki Sasaki in free agency before both decided to sign with the Dodgers. Ohtani, who nearly signed with Toronto, received loud boos and “we don’t need him” chants from the fans at Rogers Centre.
Furthermore, Buddy Kennedy and Jose Ureña appeared in games for both clubs during the 2025 season and are guaranteed to receive a World Series ring regardless of the winner.
The Dodgers and Blue Jays also have players on their respective World Series rosters who spent time with the other team.
“I think Mark (Shapiro) and Ross (Atkins) have done a tremendous job here,” president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said of the Blue Jays front office.
“I think going back for us one big thing — probably our largest kind of focal point and biggest goal — was to try to create a destination spot where our own players didn’t want to leave and where players from other teams wanted to come.
“I think invariably we find ourselves going up against the Blue Jays a lot in different ways, and they have created that as well. I think they have done a really good job with their facilities, the way they communicate, how they help get the most out of players.
“I think they have done a tremendous job. So for them to be here is not surprising at all to me.”
Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins had similar praise for Friedman and the Dodgers organization as a whole.
“There’s an open-minded nature,” Atkins began. “Andrew has also kept a lot of staff members around. There is a commitment to his people.
“Obviously it starts with their ownership. They have continued to build upon really good resources. Those are all things I would say the Blue Jays are trying to do as well.
“I do think the continuity is exceptionally powerful for organizations like Cleveland, like Milwaukee, like Tampa. Even when a leader is lost, they’re usually building from within, so that you can build upon the good decision-making tools that you have, you can build upon the values that you have.
“It’s the big changes where it gets hard to repeat success.”
Blue Jays & Dodgers shared history
Anthony Banda
Anthony Banda had a brief stint with the Blue Jays during the 2022 season and allowed three runs in 6.1 innings across seven appearances.
He was acquired by the Dodgers in 2024 and has since gone on to become a key member of their bullpen.
Justin Bruihl
Although he isn’t on their World Series roster, former Dodgers reliever Justin Bruihl made 16 appearances between the regular season and playoffs for the Blue Jays this year.
Prior to that, Bruihl spent parts of three seasons with L.A. from 2021-2023 and posted a 3.65 ERA in 65 games (two starts).
Teoscar Hernández
Teoscar Hernández has been one of the Dodgers’ biggest bats over the last two seasons, but before that, spent parts of six years with the Blue Jays.
Hernández enjoyed plenty of success in Toronto and earned his first career All-Star selection during the 2021 season, when he recorded 32 home runs a career-high 116 RBI.
Don Mattingly
Don Mattingly is in his third year as Blue Jays bench coach after previously being part of the Dodgers organization for eight seasons, including a five-year stint as manager from 2011-2015.
The 2025 season is Mattingly’s first time reaching the World Series in more than 30 years as a player, coach or manager.
Max Scherzer
Max Scherzer is on the Blue Jays’ World Series roster after spending part of the 2021 season with the Dodgers.
He faced his former team in Game 3 at Dodger Stadium and allowed three runs on five hits over 4.1 innings of work.
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