"This is beyond my wildest dreams" – Dave Roberts reacts to receiving Naha City’s special honor in Japan after Dodgers’ World Series win

Dave Roberts enjoyed a hugely successful season in 2024. He guided the LA Dodgers to a near-perfect season, as they were crowned champions of the NL West division and then the NL as a whole, en route to the Blues' eighth World Series title.

Born in the city of Naha, the capital of the Okinawa prefecture in Japan to a Japanese mother and an American father, Roberts was presented a special award by the mayor of the city, Satoru Chinen, for his outstanding achievements in the world of baseball. The event took place on Thursday.

Roberts expressed his appreciation and also talked about the feeling of helping the Dodgers bring home the most coveted title in baseball.

"This is beyond my wildest dreams, and I am humbled," Roberts said, via NHK's Akira Saheki. "Winning the World Series for the Los Angeles Dodgers (and) the city of Los Angeles was incredible."

Before he became a coach, Roberts enjoyed a successful playing career, representing the Cleveland Indians (now Guardians), Dodgers, Boston Red Sox, San Diego Padres and San Francisco Giants in the nine years he spent in the big leagues. He has lifted the World Series title three times, as a player in 2004 and twice as a manager in 2020 and 2024.

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Dave Roberts says Shohei Ohtani can be "even better"

On Wednesday, LA Dodgers skipper Dave Roberts took questions from reporters in Japan. There were several questions about Shohei Ohtani. The Japanese superstar enjoyed one of the best individual baseball seasons in 2024, but according to Roberts, there is still room for improvement in his game if he can work on his discipline at the plate.

"I think with Shohei Ohtani there were some of his season where he was a little too aggressive (with his swinging)," Roberts said. "I think there's still room in there for him to be a little more disciplined at the plate. We (Dodgers coaching staff) can make him potentially even better."

Ohtani will be involved in action in his home country as the Dodgers will face the Chicago Cubs on March 18 and 19 at the Tokyo Dome to open the 2025 season.