Anthony Santander salary, achievements: All about Toronto Blue Jays star whose controversial posts about new Michigan Senator Abdul El-Sayed go viral after midterm elections results

Anthony Santander's social media posts following the results of US midterm elections have drawn sharp reactions. Toronto Blue Jays star took an apparent dig at newly elected Senator Abdul El-Sayed. However, the posts caught eyes of netizens who have criticized Santander for posting such videos online. Toronto Blue Jays issued a statement after Santander posted the videos in the aftermath of the U.S. midterm elections. He deleted those videos.

Toronto Blue Jays said 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. 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.

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


Who is Anthony Santander?

The 32-year-old Santander is from Venezuela and missed the entire year after having shoulder surgery following 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, AP reported.

Abdul El-Sayed

Abdul 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.

During the campaign, U.S. President Donald Trump referred to El-Sayed as a “jihadist,” evoked the September 11 attacks and deliberately misstated the candidate's name.

After being the target of Islamophobic rhetoric on the campaign trail, the rising political star who will be the first Muslim American U.S. senator has mocked his critics on the right while championing the Palestinian cause and leaning into his faith and Egyptian heritage.

From Michigan to the Middle East, Arabs are celebrating Abdul El-Sayed’s election win and delighting in his introduction of Arabic terms like “habibi” and “inshallah” to the American political lexicon.

“JD, habibi,” El-Sayed said in his victory speech, addressing U.S. Vice President JD Vance, who had warned that the candidate would lead rioters in burning down Detroit. “There is this delicious irony in the fact that you’re constitutionally obligated to swear me in in January."