It is no secret that Japan adores the Los Angeles Dodgers. With a roster consisting of two Japanese-born superstars, Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, the country has expressed immense support for the franchise. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, who also has a Japanese background, is at the team’s helm.
Roberts was born in Naha, Okinawa, Japan in 1972. While his African American father is from the United States, his mother is from Okinawa. On Thursday, Roberts was presented with a special honor award from the mayor of Naha, Satoru Chinen.
“This is beyond my wildest dreams, and I am humbled,” Roberts told The Japan Times.