Drake Maye and his wife, Anne Michael, are spending their NFL offseason in Japan, seeking respite from the New England Patriots’ recent Super Bowl loss. While they’ve taken in the sights, they’ve also remained connected to sports through Maye’s brother, Luke Maye, who plays basketball. Their recent appearance at the World Baseball Classic at Tokyo Dome, however, sparked controversy over Maye’s choice of attire.

Controversy Over Jersey Choice

Maye and his wife attended the group stage match between Japan and Korea, where Shohei Ohtani’s team defeated Korea 8-6. The couple’s presence was highlighted by the official Major League Baseball account on X, which shared a photo of them at the Tokyo Dome. The caption read: ‘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!’ In the image, Anne Michael was seen wearing jeans, a blue, white, and red striped shirt, and a fur coat, while Drake’s look drew more attention.

Drake was spotted wearing a Los Angeles Dodgers jersey, likely number 17, which is Ohtani’s number, paired with black pants and a plain white T-shirt. This choice of attire caught the attention of fans, particularly those from Boston, who expected him to support the Red Sox, given his association with the Patriots.

Fan Reactions Split

Some Boston Red Sox fans expressed frustration, with comments such as: ‘Dude. Drake man. NEVER wear a Dodger jersey again. It’s Red Sox only bro,’ and ‘why Dodgers [crying emojis].’ Others were more amused, with one fan writing, ‘even Maye is a Dodger! They really do get everyone…’ and another saying, ‘Drake Maye is a Dodgers fan! Okay. He’s cool, he’s the only Patriots player I don’t hate now lol.’

Defenders of Maye also emerged, with some noting that he is from North Carolina, which does not have a baseball team, and that his childhood favorite player might have been a Dodger. One fan explained, ‘Man… He is from NC. They don’t have a baseball team and his favorite player growing up was probably a Dodger, so he became a fan, or he is a fan of S.O. Even myself, as a Boston native, was a huge fan of Kobe despite being a C’s lifer. I own a Kobe jersey.’

Others argued that Maye’s choice was influenced by the event’s context. The tournament, held in Japan, was heavily focused on Shohei Ohtani, who plays for the Dodgers. Some speculated that Maye was simply showing admiration for one of the most famous players in baseball or joining the stadium’s atmosphere.

Looking Ahead

The World Baseball Classic continues, with the next matches scheduled for Monday. Fans are now wondering if Maye will change his jersey for the remainder of the event. While the controversy may seem trivial, it highlights the deep connections fans have with their teams and the influence of athletes in sports culture.

The tournament, which features top international players, continues to draw attention from fans around the world. With Ohtani at the center of the action, the event remains a focal point for baseball enthusiasts. Whether Drake Maye will adjust his attire remains to be seen, but the incident has certainly sparked a conversation about fandom and personal choice in the sports world.