Current:Home > reviewsShohei Ohtani gifts manager Dave Roberts toy Porsche before breaking his home run record -GrowthProspect
Shohei Ohtani gifts manager Dave Roberts toy Porsche before breaking his home run record
View
Date:2025-04-14 20:45:35
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! (226)
Related
- Newly elected West Virginia lawmaker arrested and accused of making terroristic threats
- North Carolina’s governor vetoes private school vouchers and immigration enforcement orders
- Lindsay Lohan's Rare Photo With Husband Bader Shammas Is Sweeter Than Ice Cream
- Judge asked to cancel referendum in slave descendants’ zoning battle with Georgia county
- Taylor Swift makes surprise visit to Kansas City children’s hospital
- Closing arguments begin in civil trial over ‘Trump Train’ encounter with Biden-Harris bus in Texas
- US stops hazardous waste shipments to Michigan from Ohio after court decision
- USC vs. Michigan highlights: Catch up on all the big moments from Big Ten thriller
- Nevada attorney general revives 2020 fake electors case
- Why Bella Hadid Is Thanking Gigi Hadid's Ex Zayn Malik
Ranking
- Rylee Arnold Shares a Long
- Diana Taurasi changed the WNBA by refusing to change herself
- Meet the 'golden retriever' of pet reptiles, the bearded dragon
- Kristen Bell Reveals Husband Dax Shephard's Reaction to Seeing This Celebrity On her Teen Bedroom Wall
- Meet first time Grammy nominee Charley Crockett
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's crossword, I'm Cliche, Who Cares? (Freestyle)
- Game of Thrones Cast Then and Now: A House of Stars
- Buccaneers QB Baker Mayfield says Tom Brady created 'high-strung' environment
Recommendation
All That You Wanted to Know About She’s All That
Inter Miami's goals leader enjoys title with Leo Messi on his tail before NYCFC match
Caitlin Clark rewrites WNBA record book: Inside look at rookie's amazing season
Two dead, three hurt after a shooting in downtown Minneapolis
'Survivor' 47 finale, part one recap: 2 players were sent home. Who's left in the game?
NASCAR 2024 playoff standings: Who is in danger of elimination Saturday at Bristol?
Judge asked to cancel referendum in slave descendants’ zoning battle with Georgia county
Is Isaac Wilson related to Zach Wilson? Utah true freshman QB starts vs Oklahoma State