LOS ANGELES — Shohei Ohtani came bearing gifts on Saturday. He arrived knowing his next home run would be a meaningful one. The “history” at stake was more of the fun-fact variety, but the Los Angeles Dodgers star saw an opportunity.
No Japanese-born player in Dodgers history had more home runs for the franchise than Dave Roberts, Ohtani’s new manager. Roberts, the former speedy outfielder slugged seven long balls in his 1,043 at-bats with Los Angeles. The fact delighted Ohtani so much that as the designated hitter completed his first month with his new club, he’d bring up his pursuit of that mark in conversation. Roberts added to the fun, goading his new superstar and making a quip whenever Ohtani hit one to the warning track this past week. Roberts openly pondered the gifts he’d receive when Ohtani inevitably broke the mark.
“I need a new car,” Roberts said, alluding to the $700 million man’s sponsorship deal with Porsche.
So Ohtani brought him a car, sort of. He was stoic as he strode into his manager’s office before Saturday’s game against the Atlanta Braves and then revealed the gift: a mauve toy Porsche Panamera. It was the same model car that Ohtani had gifted Joe Kelly’s wife, Ashley, back in December for the rights to the No. 17 (though Kelly…
