Well now, let me tell ya ’bout this fella Dave Roberts. You see, he’s the big boss man over at the Los Angeles Dodgers. You wouldn’t think it by lookin’ at him, but he’s got roots in Japan, y’know? Born way over in Naha, Okinawa. Some folks might not know that, but it ain’t no surprise, ’cause nothin’ about him is ordinary. He’s the first-ever manager of color for the Dodgers, a real big deal. Just goes to show that hard work and determination don’t depend on where you’re from.
Now, this Dave Roberts, he ain’t just some baseball manager. He’s a man who’s got a lot of heart. And I ain’t just sayin’ that ’cause I’m fond of him. Back in 1997, he married his high school sweetheart, Tricia. Ain’t that somethin’? They’ve been together ever since, and they got themselves two children too. Y’know, that’s the kind of family man you want runnin’ a big team like the Dodgers.
But you’re askin’ about him speakin’ Japanese, right? Well, let me tell ya, he don’t just sit back and let things happen. No sir, he’s been workin’ on his Japanese for a while now. ‘Course, being born in Okinawa, that helps a bit, but don’t think it’s all easy. He’s put in the work to learn that language. You know, he was even at the Japanese American National Museum in 2016, givin’ a talk, and they filled up every last seat just to hear him speak. That shows you how folks respect him.
Now, don’t get me wrong, Dave ain’t a show-off about it. He ain’t out here throwin’ big words around or tryin’ to impress folks. But you can tell when he speaks, he’s really tryin’ to connect with people. And that’s the thing that sets him apart from a lot of folks. It ain’t about the game, or the fame, it’s about makin’ people feel seen and heard. And when you’re in charge of a whole baseball team, that’s important.
Dave Roberts is also workin’ on helpin’ the Dodgers connect with the Japanese players too. Just recently, the team signed a new pitcher from Japan, Yoshinobu Yamamoto. Now, this kid, Yamamoto, he’s been workin’ on his English, too. And wouldn’t ya know it, Roberts and Yamamoto are challengin’ each other to get better at their languages. I reckon that’s somethin’ special, two folks from different parts of the world tryin’ to understand each other better. They both got a lot to teach each other, and it’s a nice thing to see in this day and age.
As for the Dodgers, well, they got a rich history with Japan. And with Roberts at the helm, they’re not shy about it. He’s proud of his heritage, and it shows in the way he runs his team. That kind of pride, well, it does wonders for a team’s spirit. Ain’t no doubt about it, Dave Roberts is doin’ more than just managing baseball games. He’s helpin’ folks from all walks of life come together, whether that’s on the field or off of it.
In the end, it’s about makin’ connections, right? Roberts and Yamamoto are proof that with a little effort, we can all find ways to bridge the gaps between us. It don’t matter where you’re from, or what language you speak. What matters is the work you put in and the relationships you build. And that’s the real win, if you ask me.
Tags：[Dave Roberts, speak Japanese, Los Angeles Dodgers, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, baseball, Japanese American, language learning, Dodgers manager, Naha Okinawa, baseball connections]
