Jonas Brothers, who are Stand Up to Cancer ambassadors, gave a surprise performance during the 2025 World Series that had some baseball fans taking to social media to criticize their appearance.
On Saturday, the Toronto Blue Jays and Los Angeles Dodgers competed in Game Two of the World Series at Toronto’s Rogers Centre. After the fifth inning, the game was paused for a Stand up to Cancer tribute. A Major League Baseball tradition since 2009, the tribute features those in attendance holding up placards honoring people who have been affected by cancer. At the game yesterday, baseball fans and players alike participated in the moment.
Then, the band were surprise-introduced by an announcer, who said Jonas Brothers would perform “I Can’t Lose,” which was “dedicated to everyone standing up to cancer.” Kicking their performance off with Joe Jonas holding up a placard for their dad, who was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2017, the band delivered their performance in the stadium in an area overlooking the field.
While they performed, they were surrounded by fans who sang along, but once they were done, it appeared some baseball fans were less enthusiastic about their surprise set. Some who were displeased took to the internet. One person posted “Do this pregame… not interrupt the World Series” and another wrote “This is the World Series not the All Star game” in the comments on the MLB YouTube video featuring their performance.
Over on Instagram, their appearance was also taken to task. “Horrible idea to have a half time show AFTER a moment of silence for those impacted by cancer, in the middle of the WORLD SERIES. So bad,” wrote one person, while another called it the “worst part of the whole broadcast.” Another was more diplomatic, writing, “They might be good performers, but please never do this in the middle of a game again. Do it to start the game. This just changes the entire atmosphere.”
Joe Jonas appeared to take it all in stride, humorously posting, “Why these guys ?” on MLB’s Instagram post. And despite the backlash from some, thousands of others “liked” Jonas’ response and hundreds of others commented in support of him and the band. Besides, there was at least one pretty evident reason why they were there with the sign he held up at the beginning of their performance, given their dad, Kevin Jonas Sr., is a cancer survivor. Perhaps a better battle to pick is a unified one against cancer rather than over a band’s surprise set.
