On Saturday in Tokyo, New England’s own Drake Maye caught the attention of baseball fans while attending the World Baseball Classic (WBC) matchup between Japan and Korea. The Patriots quarterback, who was the NFL MVP runner-up last season, was seen at the Tokyo Dome wearing a Los Angeles Dodgers jersey, stirring surprise among New England supporters due to the lack of an obvious connection to the Dodgers. Fans quickly noticed the jersey appeared to bear Shohei Ohtani’s No. 17, a player representing Team Japan in the tournament.
Fans React to Maye’s Choice of Team Apparel Amid WBC Excitement
The NFL star attended the game alongside his wife, Ann Michael, but their choice of on-field attire sparked a wave of commentary on social media. MLB’s official account shared a photo captioning the couple as “New England royalty” in attendance. However, many fans expressed discomfort seeing Maye clad in a Dodgers uniform rather than apparel supporting New England teams, fueling lively debate online.
“New England royalty at the #WorldBaseballClassicPatriots QB Drake ‘Drake Maye’ Maye and Ann Michael Maye in the Tokyo Dome for Team Korea vs. Team Japan!”
— MLB official Twitter account
“Gotta get that man a new jersey!”
— Social media user reaction
“New England royalty wearing a Dodgers jersey,”
— Another user with a crying emoji
“Dude. Drake man. NEVER wear a Dodger jersey again. It’s Redsox only bro”
Japan Surges to Victory Behind Shohei Ohtani’s Stellar Performance
While Maye’s outfit ignited debate, the game itself featured remarkable highlights from Shohei Ohtani. The two-way star contributed significantly by going 2-for-2, earning two walks, and hitting a crucial solo home run in the third inning. This homer tied the game and jumpstarted a three-homer inning for Team Japan, rallying the hometown crowd into a frenzy.
Following Ohtani’s contribution, teammates Seiya Suzuki and Masataka Yoshida each delivered home runs, the latter an outfielder for the Boston Red Sox, which added to the excitement of Japan’s 8-6 group stage win over Korea. Although Maye did not wear Boston’s red and navy colors at the game, his wife highlighted their connection to the Red Sox by sharing an Instagram story featuring a Red Sox cap during their trip.
Family Ties and Cultural Connections Enhance Maye’s Visit to Japan
Drake Maye’s visit to Japan held additional personal significance, as his brother Luke Maye is currently a forward for the Kobe Storks in Japan’s professional basketball league. This family link may partially explain the couple’s offseason journey to the Land of the Cherry Blossoms.
Despite wearing a Dodgers jersey to the event, Maye might have been showing support for one of Major League Baseball’s most celebrated teams internationally, especially given the Dodgers’ popularity in Japan. Nonetheless, fans in New England may expect him to sport more regionally representative gear upon his return.
Implications of Maye’s Public Attire Choice and Future Expectations
The attention surrounding Drake Maye’s choice to wear a Dodgers jersey at the WBC highlights the passionate allegiances held by New England sports fans and the scrutiny athletes face when representing regions or teams. As the Patriots quarterback continues to rise in prominence, his public image and affiliations off the football field may influence fan perception.
With the NFL season approaching, it is likely that Maye will recalibrate his public appearances to align more closely with New England’s deep-rooted sports culture. Meanwhile, the WBC continues to showcase global baseball talent, as exemplified by Shohei Ohtani’s remarkable impact on Team Japan’s narrow but thrilling win over Korea.
New England royalty at the #WorldBaseballClassic
Patriots QB Drake "Drake Maye" Maye and Ann Michael Maye in the Tokyo Dome for Team Korea vs. Team Japan! pic.twitter.com/g1jGGySmNm
— MLB (@MLB) March 7, 2026
Gotta get that man a new jersey!
— ConquerSports (@ConquerSportsIO) March 7, 2026
