Shohei Ohtani hit his eighth long ball of the season on Saturday against the Atlanta Braves, which set a new Los Angeles Dodgers record for most home runs by a Japanese-born player.
Ohtani had been tied with manager Dave Roberts, who hit seven home runs over parts of three seasons during his Dodgers playing career. Ohtani has continuously joked about going after Roberts’ record, and that continued prior to Friday’s matchup.
The superstar gifted Roberts a Porsche to commemorate the achievement, but there was one small detail that needed to be noted, it was a toy car, via Juan Toribio of MLB.com:
Before Friday’s game against the Braves, Shohei Ohtani walked into Dave Roberts’ office. Ohtani, with a straight face, delivered the news to his skipper that he got him a car to commemorate whenever he passes the manager for most homers by a Japanese-born player in franchise history.
Well, Ohtani did get Roberts a car, but just not what he was expecting. Ohtani jokingly handed Roberts a toy Porsche. The two then burst out laughing.
Shohei got Doc a car. This is a true statement. 😂 pic.twitter.com/dXerO0QPT9
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) May 5, 2024
Ohtani said that Roberts wanted a car and was happy to give him one:
“He said he wanted a car,” Ohtani said through translator Will Ireton. “I’m glad he’s happy. He got a car.”
After Ohtani officially set the record, Roberts congratulated the two-way star and thanked him for the gift:
“Tonight, he passed me for the Japanese-born Dodger home run record,” Roberts said as he stormed out of the clubhouse during Ohtani’s postgame press conference. “I just want to say congratulations and thank you very much. This is my car. The difference is Joe’s [Kelly] car doesn’t fit in my office. This car fits on my desk.”
The toy Porsche that Ohtani gifted Roberts was a playful reference to the 29-year-old giving Joe Kelly’s wife, Ashley, a real Porsche after the right-hander agreed to give up his No. 17 when he joined the Dodgers.
Ashley started an “Ohtake17” campaign on social media, offering to donate her husband’s number if Ohtani signed with the Dodgers.
Shohei Ohtani broke MLB record for most home runs by Japanese-born player
Earlier this season, Ohtani broke the MLB record for most home runs hit by a Japanese-born player. It previously belonged to Hideki Matsui, who hit 175 home runs in his career during the regular season.
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