Shohei Ohtani Revealed He Would Buy Dave Roberts a Real Car If Dodgers Reach Specific Milestone
Shohei Ohtani gifted his Los Angeles Dodgers teammate Joe Kelly’s wife with a brand-new Porsche after signing his 10-year, $700 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Panamera model retails between $100,000 and $200,000.
The generous gesture was in response to something relatively humble: Kelly giving up the No. 17 he wore on the back of his uniform in 2023 so Ohtani could wear it in 2024.
On Friday, manager Dave Roberts received a similar (but far more humble) gift from the two-way star, a mauve-colored model Porsche that fits perfectly on his desk. Ohtani told reporters on Saturday that he would consider buying his manager an actual Porsche if the Dodgers win the World Series.
The gag gift came about on the team’s recent road trip in Toronto, when Ohtani tied Roberts’ franchise record for home runs by a Japanese-born player. Roberts jokingly told Ohtani that he needed a new one knowing that he had a sponsorship deal with Porsche.
“A Japanese-born player who is about to break my Dodgers record [for home runs] very soon, brought a gift, a Porsche,” Roberts told reporters Saturday afternoon, building suspense with his story.
“He brought it into my office … so there is context. He did buy me a car. And I guess I didn’t specify what type of car [I wanted]. So Shohei did bring in a nice little Porsche for me, so I can’t say he never gave me anything.”
Ohtani broke Roberts’ record on Saturday night and explained his gift to reporters after the 11-2 win over the Atlanta Braves.
“He said he wanted a car — he got a car,” Ohtani said with a chuckle. “I’m glad he’s happy. … I like to make people laugh. I’m hoping I can do more of these.”
Will Ohtani buy Roberts a real car?
“If we win the World Series,” Ohtani said through interpreter Will Ireton, “I’ll think about it.”
Photo Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
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