Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts finished off an epic year with a proverbial grand slam.
Roberts, who was born in Naha on Japan’s island of Okinawa, returned to his hometown to accept an honorary award from the city last week after his team won the World Series against the New York Yankees in October. The emotional visit, Roberts’ first in more than two decades, was the ultimate capstone to his championship season, he said.
“Winning the World Series with the Los Angeles Dodgers, for the city of Los Angeles, was incredible, an incredible challenge. But the final piece for me was to come to Naha, to be with my people and celebrate with you guys together,” Roberts said during the ceremony. “So now, my journey for 2024 is finally complete.”
Roberts, whose mother is Japanese and father was a U.S. Marine stationed in Okinawa, accepted the award in front of hundreds of locals, officials and fans. Naha’s mayor, Satoru Chinen, said during the ceremony that the skipper inspired Okinawans to be proud of who they are. Roberts also reiterated his pride for his hometown.
“I was born in Naha,” Roberts said. “I have Okinawan blood and Okinawa will always be home for me.”
While Roberts spent little time in Naha, moving to the U.S. when he was a child, he has long been open about his love for his heritage. Far before his coaching career, Roberts made the trek out to Japan while he was a center fielder for the Dodgers 20 years ago and held a baseball practice for Okinawan children.
“I also play for the people in Okinawa who support me and watch me on TV,” he told the NHK Okinawa Broadcasting Station at the time. “I’ve gotten letters, and just hearing the people watch me late at night, watching the Dodgers play. I’m just proud to be from Okinawa.”
While Roberts has a significant fan base in Japan, his team is also home to Japanese baseball icons including two-way phenom Shohei Ohtani and pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who have drawn in a burgeoning audience from the country. Adam Burke, the president and CEO of Los Angeles’ tourism board, told The Guardian that the number of Japanese tourists to the city could exceed 400,000 in 2024, Ohtani’s first year with the team, almost doubling the number of visitors last year.
Roberts’ visit to Japan comes after his second World Series win as Dodgers manager. He took home a ring in 2020 against the Tampa Bay Rays during a pandemic-shortened season. He also won a championship with the Boston Red Sox in 2004, playing a pivotal role as a pinch runner, helping the team take home its first World Series title since 1918.
This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
