Current:Home > FinanceShohei Ohtani gifts manager Dave Roberts toy Porsche before breaking his home run record -MacroWatch
Shohei Ohtani gifts manager Dave Roberts toy Porsche before breaking his home run record
Johnathan Walker View
Date:2025-04-09 05:16:44
Shohei Ohtani has many more records to break over the course of his baseball career, but he may not have any more fun breaking one than he did Saturday night.
Ever since finding out that Dodgers manager Dave Roberts is the team's all-time leader in homers by a Japanese-born player, Ohtani and his skipper have enjoyed a running joke as he approached Roberts' grand total of seven. (Roberts was born on a U.S. military base in Okinawa.)
After Ohtani passed Hideki Matsui on April 21 for the most homers in MLB history by a Japanese-born player with his 176th, he deadpanned that he now had his sights set on Roberts' record.
In their back-and-forth with reporters since then, Ohtani and Roberts were both asked about the possibility of the slugger giving his manager a gift to commemorate the historic occasion. Roberts suggested a new car might be appropriate.
Before Saturday's game against the Atlanta Braves − with the pair tied at seven homers apiece − Roberts got the car.
All things Dodgers: Latest Los Angeles Dodgers news, schedule, roster, stats, injury updates and more.
Later that evening, Ohtani got the record.
His solo shot in the bottom of the third inning off the Braves' Bryce Elder was his eighth of the season. And the torch was officially passed.
"He said he wanted a car," Ohtani said through translator Will Ireton. "I’m glad he’s happy. He got a car."
So what was the significance of the Porsche?
In this meticulously detailed timeline from MLB.com, we're reminded that when Ohtani signed with the Dodgers, reliever Joe Kelly had Ohtani's preferred jersey No. 17.
As a thank you gift for giving up his number, Kelly and his wife Ashley received a brand new Porsche courtesy of his new teammate.
So even though no one could blame Roberts for trying, he had to settle for a miniature version instead.
"I just want to say congratulations and thank you very much," Roberts said, the toy car in his hand after the game. "This is my car. The difference is Joe’s car doesn’t fit in my office. This car fits on my desk."
veryGood! (78)
Related
- Rolling Loud 2024: Lineup, how to stream the world's largest hip hop music festival
- Here’s why the verdict in New Hampshire’s landmark trial over youth center abuse is being disputed
- US service member shot and killed by Florida police identified by the Air Force
- Mexico tightens travel rules on Peruvians in a show of visa diplomacy to slow migration to US
- Elon Musk's skyrocketing net worth: He's the first person with over $400 billion
- Drake and Kendrick Lamar’s feud — the biggest beef in recent rap history — explained
- Alabama lawmakers approve tax breaks for businesses that help employees afford child care
- Ex-Packers returner Amari Rodgers vents about not getting Aaron Rodgers 'love' as rookie
- Scoot flight from Singapore to Wuhan turns back after 'technical issue' detected
- The Supreme Court is nearing the end of its term. Here are the major cases it still has to decide.
Ranking
- 'Malcolm in the Middle’ to return with new episodes featuring Frankie Muniz
- Bridget Moynahan Shares Cryptic Message on Loyal People After Tom Brady Roast
- Met Gala 2024: Gigi Hadid Reveals Her Favorite of Taylor Swift’s Tortured Poets Department Songs
- Former GOP Senate candidate challenges House Republican who voted to impeach Trump
- EU countries double down on a halt to Syrian asylum claims but will not yet send people back
- Biden condemns despicable acts of antisemitism at Holocaust remembrance ceremony
- Alabama lawmakers approve tax breaks for businesses that help employees afford child care
- Knicks' Mitchell Robinson will likely miss rest of NBA playoffs due to ankle injury
Recommendation
Juan Soto to be introduced by Mets at Citi Field after striking record $765 million, 15
Justin Timberlake Reacts to Jessica Biel’s Over-the-Top Met Gala Gown
Boy Scouts of America is rebranding. Here’s why they’re now named Scouting America
Mother of Australian surfers killed in Mexico gives moving tribute to sons at a beach in San Diego
McConnell absent from Senate on Thursday as he recovers from fall in Capitol
Police clear Pro-Palestinian tent encampment at George Washington University, dozens arrested
Eurovision 2024: First 10 countries secure spot in Grand Final
Embattled Kansas City Chiefs WR Rashee Rice suspected in a nightclub assault, per reports