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If laughter is a secret element of the winning clubhouse, the Los Angeles Dodgers may still be preparing themselves for their best season.
Between rigorous training and tweaking crafts at Camelback Ranch, National League MVP Shohei Ohtani and Dodgers skipper Dave Roberts are trapped in a mischievous war that escalates the team’s parking lot.
But first, let’s go back to its origins.
It all began with Porsche last season.
Before the 2024 MLB season began, Otani generically presented the Porsche to his teammate Joe Kelly’s wife, Ashley. A few months later, Otani quickly approached Roberts’ record for the most home runs in the Dodgers’ history by Japanese-born players, so the manager was asked by Otani what gift he wanted after he overtakes him.
Roberts replied that he wanted a Porsche like the one that Ashley Kelly received, and within a week he was given the gift when Otani hilariously surprised his manager with a small toy Porsche after losing him in the Dodgers’ record book.
“He said he wanted a car,” Otani said through his translator. “I’m glad he’s happy. He got the car.”
That’s the origins of the mischievous war, and Otani added this spring when he once again gave Roberts a Porsche. On Sunday, February 16th, after the camp broke, Roberts left the car in the car park at the team’s Camelback Ranch. To my surprise, it was not found anywhere.
Instead, it was a miniature Porsche who sat in his usual car park. Small enough for a toddler, but all the sw walking in a sports car. Otani is always calm and composed on the field, but it also seems to be a playful side to him. The mastermind behind the pranks, he arranged for Roberts’ car to be moved elsewhere, leaving a toy-sized alternative as a less subtle jab at the manager’s height.
Roberts chuckled jokingly as he walked through it. But deep down, he knew this wasn’t over.
Round 2: Roberts fights back
If there’s one thing you need to know about Dave Roberts, it’s that he won’t step back from the challenge. A week later, he forced his revenge in an epic way.
Otani’s refined black Porsche Teikan – this time the real thing – became the latest casualty in this mischievous war.
Roberts and his accomplices filled every inch of Ohatani’s car with plastic ball pitballs, each decorated with a photograph of Roberts’ smiling face. The visuals were nothing but comedy sparkles. Otani, who was likely hoping for retaliation, could only shook his head and tackle a boring cleanup.
But Otani may have lost this battle, but someone else in his family won.
Decoy: Unofficial MVP of Prank War
Shortly after discovering that his car had become a plastic ball wonderland, Otani found a way to make the most of the situation. He posted a video from his backyard to his Instagram account, showing him his dog, decoy, and happily jumped into a colorful sea of balls. There was clearly no complaints about Roberts’ latest scheme, with the Dutch Kooikerhondje, tail shaking, and legs shaking.
And like that, Decoy has become an unexpected star in the Dodgers’ spring training. Fans were flooded with comments declaring him the “real winner” of the prank war, and some joked that they should get their own bobblehead night at Dodger Stadium. If this war continues, Otani might want to start planning his next move on Decoy’s entertainment needs.
Of course, this mischievous war probably isn’t over. Otani is as naughty and competitive as he is on the field, and there is little doubt that he is already planning his next move. Maybe a decoy will be involved. Perhaps Roberts’ office will be the next casualty. One thing is for sure: Dodgers fans will be eagerly waiting to see what happens next.
However, for now, the scores are Roberts 1, Otani 1… and decoy? Undefeated champion of spring training fun.
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