Photo/Illutration Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, left, receives an honorary award from Naha Mayor Satoru Chinen in the capital of Okinawa Prefecture on Dec. 5. (Taro Ono)

NAHA–Fresh off a World Series championship, Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts returned to his birthplace on Dec. 5 to cap off a memorable year with a special honor.

He received Naha's honorary award at a ceremony held at the city hall attended by a throng of residents. 

“Winning the World Series was an incredible challenge but the final piece for me was to come to Naha to celebrate with you guys together,” said Roberts, 52. 

“So now, my journey for 2024 is finally complete,” he added.

As he presented the award, Mayor Satoru Chinen said that Roberts enchanted citizens with his bright, cheerful smile, like the sunshine of the subtropical island, inspiring them to be proud of being Okinawans.

“I was born in Naha. I have Okinawan blood and Okinawa will always be home for me,” Roberts said.

At the end of his speech, Roberts hugged a municipal assembly member, saying, “This hug will be for everyone in Okinawa.”

Born in Naha in 1972 to an Okinawan mother and an American father, Roberts moved to the United States at a young age.

He played as an outfielder for several teams in his major league career before becoming the Dodgers’ manager in 2016.

This season, with the addition of Japanese superstars Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto to the team, the Dodgers clinched their first World Series title since 2020.

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