Dave Roberts is a name that resonates with Dodgers fans as both a source of pride and a touch of exasperation. As the winningest manager in Dodgers history, his spot in the Hall of Fame seems all but guaranteed.
Yet, his in-game decisions often leave fans scratching their heads. Despite this, there's no denying the success he's brought to the team.
One quirk that Dodgers fans have come to expect from Roberts is his occasional struggle with keeping facts straight, especially concerning player injuries. It's almost become a running joke among the fanbase. When Roberts downplays an injury, fans brace themselves for the worst, often jokingly predicting a Tommy John surgery.
This spring training, Roberts was quick to keep the tradition alive. After Yoshinobu Yamamoto's Cactus League debut, where he pitched 1 2/3 innings and allowed one earned run against the Angels-a game the Dodgers won decisively 15-2-Roberts wished him luck in the World Baseball Classic.
However, Yamamoto was set to pitch again against the Giants before joining Team Japan. When Roberts realized his mistake, he took it in stride, acknowledging the mix-up with a chuckle.
Yamamoto, along with Shohei Ohtani, will represent Team Japan in Pool C of the World Baseball Classic, competing against teams like Korea, Australia, Taiwan, and Czechia. The first round of pool play kicks off in Tokyo on March 5, with the top teams advancing to the quarterfinals in Miami from March 13-14.
The Dodgers are well-represented in the tournament, with major league stars like Ohtani, Yamamoto, Hyeseong Kim, Will Smith, and Edwin Díaz leaving to play for their respective countries.
As the season unfolds, fans can only hope Roberts irons out these small errors. Yet, the next time he provides an injury update, it's likely to be met with a mix of skepticism and good-natured humor.