Current:Home > reviewsShohei Ohtani gifts manager Dave Roberts toy Porsche before breaking his home run record -Finovate
Shohei Ohtani gifts manager Dave Roberts toy Porsche before breaking his home run record
View
Date:2025-04-15 10:59:22
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! (73778)
Related
- Selena Gomez engaged to Benny Blanco after 1 year together: 'Forever begins now'
- Vanderpump Rules Finale: Tom Sandoval and Raquel Leviss Declare Their Love Amid Cheating Scandal
- John Stamos Shares the Heart-Melting Fatherhood Advice Bob Saget Gave Him About Son Billy
- Why Lizzo Says She's Not Trying to Escape Fatness in Body Positivity Message
- Person accused of accosting Rep. Nancy Mace at Capitol pleads not guilty to assault charge
- High-Stakes Wind Farm Drama in Minnesota Enters Final Act
- Daniel Penny indicted by grand jury in chokehold death of Jordan Neely on NYC subway
- Salma Hayek Suffers NSFW Wardrobe Malfunction on Instagram Live
- 'Survivor' 47 finale, part one recap: 2 players were sent home. Who's left in the game?
- Enbridge’s Kalamazoo River Oil Spill Settlement Greeted by a Flood of Criticism
Ranking
- Paige Bueckers vs. Hannah Hidalgo highlights women's basketball games to watch
- Maryland Climate Ruling a Setback for Oil and Gas Industry
- Zendaya, Anne Hathaway and Priyanka Chopra Are the Ultimate Fashion Trio During Glamorous Italy Outing
- Lawsuits Seeking Damages for Climate Change Face Critical Legal Challenges
- Buckingham Palace staff under investigation for 'bar brawl'
- Arnold Schwarzenegger's Look-Alike Son Joseph Baena Breaks Down His Fitness Routine in Shirtless Workout
- Video shows man struck by lightning in Woodbridge Township, New Jersey, then saved by police officer
- 5 dogs killed in fire inside RV day before Florida dog show
Recommendation
From family road trips to travel woes: Americans are navigating skyrocketing holiday costs
Malaysia wants Interpol to help track down U.S. comedian Jocelyn Chia over her joke about disappearance of flight MH370
Clean Economy Jobs Grow in Most Major U.S. Cities, Study Reveals
In Seattle, Real Estate Sector to ‘Green’ Its Buildings as Economic Fix-It
Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Hi Hi!
Amid Boom, U.S. Solar Industry Fears End of Government Incentives
2018’s Hemispheric Heat Wave Wasn’t Possible Without Climate Change, Scientists Say
86-year-old returns George Orwell's 1984 to library 65 years late, saying it needs to be read more than ever