Toronto Blue Jays finally remove controversial statue of former billionaire owner

Former Toronto Blue Jays owner Ted Rogers stood tall outside Gate 6 at the Rogers Centre for 13 years. As of Monday, he stands there no more.

The 12-foot bronze statue of the late Canadian businessman was removed this week as the Blue Jays prepare to install a new statue honouring World Series icon Joe Carter later this summer.

As the team continues to celebrate its 50th MLB season, Blue Jays president Mark Shapiro revealed that Carter will be commemorated with a statue outside the ballpark, which will recognize one of the most iconic World Series moments, let alone in Canadian history.

Carter's walk-off home run in Game 6 of the 1993 World Series won the team back-to-back titles and cemented him as the pinnacle of Toronto Blue Jays greats.

The decision to replace Rogers' statue with Carter was welcomed by many fans. While Rogers played a significant role as the owner of the club and the company that purchased it (and still owns it), he never wore a Blue Jays uniform.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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The only statue outside the stadium was one paying tribute to a businessman rather than some of the franchise's most iconic players, like Carter, Roy Halladay, Jose Bautista, and Carlos Delgado.

Rogers' time as owner is also remembered by many fans as a complicated chapter in franchise history. The team was continuously run on a low payroll and never reached the postseason – a strange thing to pay tribute to.

The franchise's playoff drought stretched from 1994 until it was finally broken in 2015.

Rogers was also criticized by some fans for rebranding the stadium from its historic SkyDome name to Rogers Centre after his company acquired the naming rights. Some fans to this day still don't use the new name.

A moment. Immortalized. COMING SOON: A statue to commemorate our back-to-back champs 🏆👀 pic.twitter.com/TD37nCUQQG

— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) February 2, 2026

The Ted Rogers statue will reportedly be relocated to Rogers' corporate headquarters on Bloor Street East.

The Joe Carter statue is scheduled to be unveiled outside Gate 6 on July 18. There will be a special pre-game ceremony as the Blue Jays take on the Chicago White Sox.