Dodgers News: Dave Roberts to Receive Okinawa’s Highest Honor

LOS ANGELES — Dodgers manager Dave Roberts will be honored by the Governor of Okinawa, Denny Tamaki, in a special pregame ceremony at Dodger Stadium on Saturday, June 14, recognizing his achievements both on the field and as a proud descendant of Okinawan heritage. The celebration, set to take place shortly before the Dodgers take on the San Francisco Giants, marks a poignant moment of cross-cultural recognition and remembrance—bridging past conflict with present-day unity.

Governor Tamaki will present Roberts with the Okinawa Prefecture Honor Award, the highest civilian distinction bestowed by the prefecture. The award recognizes individuals of Okinawan descent who have made exceptional contributions to society and brought hope and inspiration to the Okinawan people. Roberts, who managed the Dodgers to their second World Series title under his leadership in 2024, is the embodiment of those ideals.

As the son of an African American father and an Okinawan mother, Roberts has long served as a cultural bridge between the United States and Japan. His success in Major League Baseball and continued leadership in Los Angeles have made him a source of immense pride for the more than 400,000 Uchinanchu—people of Okinawan heritage—living around the world.

“It’s a big award,” Roberts said when asked about it at Saturday’s pregame presser, “It’s not just the city of Naha but the (prefecture) of Okinawa. I’m excited. My mom’s real excited about it. I get to meet the governor, and maybe even catch the first pitch. To be recognized by Okinawa is pretty remarkable, given that that’s my birthplace (and) still got family there. It’s a huge honor.”

The ceremony will include a ceremonial first pitch, with Governor Tamaki taking the mound and Roberts behind the plate to catch. Tamaki, whose nickname “Denny” is stitched on the back of his jersey, shares a similar cultural background with Roberts: his father was a U.S. Marine, and his mother an Uchinanchu. The gesture not only honors Roberts but also symbolizes the deep, enduring friendship between the United States and Japan—two nations that were once enemies during World War II, but now stand as close allies.

This year’s ceremony also holds special historical weight. The number 80, which appears on the Governor’s jersey, commemorates the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Okinawa—one of the bloodiest conflicts of World War II. The tribute serves as a reminder of the tremendous human cost of war, while highlighting a shared commitment to peace. The “Cornerstone of Peace” memorial in Itoman City, Okinawa, which lists the names of over 240,000 individuals who died during the battle—including 14,000 American servicemembers—stands as a somber testament to that history.

In presenting the award, Governor Tamaki will also offer a traditional Ryukyuan lacquerware gift, underscoring the deep cultural heritage of the Okinawan people. The Okinawa Prefecture Honor Award is rarely granted, reserved for individuals who have achieved excellence in their field while also elevating Okinawan identity on a global stage.

For Roberts, the honor is deeply personal. His mother, Eiko, raised him with a strong sense of Okinawan pride, and he has spoken in the past about the values of resilience, discipline, and humility she instilled in him—qualities that have served him well throughout his baseball career.

The pregame celebration will be more than just a tribute to Roberts’ championship pedigree. It will be a powerful expression of unity across cultures, generations, and histories—a celebration of where we’ve come from, and the bridges we continue to build.

As Roberts takes the field this Saturday night, it won’t just be as the manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers, but as a proud son of Okinawa, recognized by his ancestral homeland for bringing honor and hope to its people.

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