Ohtani passes Roberts for most HRs by Japanese player in Dodgers history

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MAY 04: Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Dodgers reacts to his strikeout in front of Travis d'Arnaud #16 of the Atlanta Braves during the first inning at Dodger Stadium on May 04, 2024 in Los Angeles, California.
Harry How / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Move over, Dave Roberts.

Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani belted his eighth home run of the season during Saturday's win against the Atlanta Braves, surpassing Roberts' previous franchise record of seven long balls by a Japanese-born player.

Ohtani broke Roberts' mark in just 135 at-bats in his first season with the team. Roberts needed 1,043 at-bats to hit his seven homers. He played for the Dodgers from 2002-04.

Ohtani jokingly gifted Roberts a toy Porsche on Friday in anticipation of breaking his mark.

Juan Toribio / MLB.com

"He did buy me a car," Roberts told MLB.com's Juan Toribio. "And I guess I didn't specify what type of car. So Shohei did bring in a nice little Porsche for me, so I can't say he never gave me anything. It's on my desk as we speak."

Ohtani said he'd consider buying Roberts a real car if the Dodgers win the World Series, per The Athletic's Fabian Ardaya.

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