LOS ANGELES — Dave Roberts has always had a flair for the sentimental—and the comedic. On Wednesday, the Dodgers manager added a new chapter to his ongoing series of light-hearted exchanges with Shohei Ohtani by gifting Ohtani’s newborn daughter her very first car: a miniature, remote-controlled pink Porsche.
The moment, captured on video, featured Roberts presenting the gift to a smiling Ohtani. “My wife and I purchased this remote car—electronic car—for his daughter,” Roberts said. “Shohei has been very gracious, and we’ve got this long-running practical joke. This is more of a sincere gesture… but a little bit of a joke.”
This sweet moment is the latest in a series of playful exchanges between the superstar slugger and his manager. Presented with the remote-controlled ride-on Porsche, Ohtani initially looked wary—understandably so, given the prank history between the two. But once Roberts clarified it was for his daughter, Ohtani lit up and graciously accepted. “Thank you. I love it,” he said with a wide smile.
The history behind the gift runs deep. Their jokey rivalry began last season when Ohtani broke the Dodgers’ franchise record for home runs by a Japanese-born player—a record previously held by Roberts. Ohtani jokingly promised his manager a car, and delivered… a toy Porsche. The gag was also a nod to another memorable moment from Ohtani’s arrival in Los Angeles: when he “bought” the No. 17 jersey from Joe Kelly by buying Kelly’s wife a real Porsche.
Things escalated during Spring Training this year. Ohtani parked a second toy Porsche in Roberts’ spot at Camelback Ranch, triggering a colorful revenge plot. Roberts filled Ohtani’s car with plastic ball-pit balls—delighting not just the manager, but also Ohtani’s dog, Decoy, who famously loves playing in them. After that, the two declared their prank war “even.”
Now, with the arrival of Ohtani’s baby girl, Roberts flipped the script once again.
“This is your daughter’s first car,” Roberts said, holding up the miniature pink Porsche. “Not bad, huh?”
Though it had a humorous edge, Roberts made clear this was also a heartfelt gesture—symbolic of the bond developing between Ohtani and the Dodgers family. The gesture received laughs from the assembled press, but also an acknowledgment of the warmth and camaraderie that has marked Ohtani’s first season in Los Angeles.
“You got the show,” Roberts joked as he handed over the gift. “I’m in trouble now.”
“I thought I was in trouble,” Ohtain joked, before bursting into laughter at the gift.
Whether it’s poking fun or passing on a toy Porsche, the ongoing banter between Roberts and Ohtani reflects a clubhouse culture that balances excellence with joy. And now, the newest (and youngest) member of Ohtani’s family has her very own set of wheels—thanks to the skipper.
In the words of Roberts, “It’s a little bit of a joke, but a sincere joke.” And that might just be the best kind.
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