Roger Arrieta
As the Los Angeles Dodgers prepare for the Tokyo Series, manager Dave Roberts chatted with Alysha Del Valle to discuss the experience of being in Japan—especially the excitement surrounding Shohei Ohtani.
When asked about the love for Ohtani in his home country, Roberts wasn’t surprised.
“It’s what we expected,” Roberts said. “He’s just so revered here in the country. I think he handles it with such humility and grace, and he just represents the people of Japan so well.”
The Dodgers manager acknowledged how special it is to witness Ohtani’s reception firsthand, calling it an exciting experience for the entire team. While Los Angeles is no stranger to star power, Roberts noted that what Ohtani means to Japan is on another level.
“Back home, people love players and teams, but there’s really no person that represents an entire country like Shohei represents Japan,” Roberts explained.
As the Dodgers gear up for their matchups in Tokyo, the presence of Ohtani makes the series even more meaningful—not just for the team, but for baseball fans across Japan.
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