TOKYO — During a visit to Tokyo on Wednesday, Dave Roberts, the manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers, was reminded of a lighthearted promise made by Shohei Ohtani, the star player. Ohtani had hinted at gifting Roberts a luxurious Porsche if the Dodgers secured the World Series trophy, which they triumphantly did over a month ago against the New York Yankees.
Roberts engaged with mostly Japanese reporters during this informal meet-up and addressed the curiosity surrounding Ohtani’s pledge. He specifically referenced a moment in the past when Ohtani rewarded teammate Joe Kelly with a brand-new Porsche after Kelly graciously relinquished his No. 17 jersey when Ohtani transitioned from the Angels to the Dodgers.
In a playful moment, Ohtani had given Roberts a toy version of the Porsche, which led Roberts to ask about the real car. According to Roberts, Ohtani’s response was teasingly vague: “If we win the World Series, maybe we’ll talk about it.”
Now, with the Dodgers having captured the championship, Roberts is eager to bring the topic up again, even if it’s all in good fun. “So we won the World Series,” he noted, adding with a grin, “I don’t know. Good question.”
The conversation on this delightful exchange illustrates the camaraderie and humor within the Dodgers’ squad, especially between Ohtani and Roberts, reflecting a spirit of teamwork that extends beyond just the game.