Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts walked back his remarks suggesting that Canadian officials played a role in the team's delayed flight home from Toronto.
"Canada is not trying to sabotage the Dodgers. I know that," Roberts told Andy McCullough of The Athletic. "It was just a long day."
Roberts' flight home - one of four carrying members of the Dodgers' traveling party during the World Series - arrived in Los Angeles late Sunday following delays on the ground at Toronto's Pearson International Airport. As a result, he was late for his team's off-day workout at Dodger Stadium.
"There was some delays. I don't know if there was intent or not," Roberts said Sunday when asked about his travel experience. "But, man, the international stuff was a bear. But we made it. We made it."
On Monday, he clarified to McCullough that he shouldn't have framed his earlier comments in such a way.
"I know the prime minister is not worried about calling airline security or the FAA to make sure that they delay us," Roberts said. "I know that, obviously. I think the prime minister has bigger fish to fry."
"I shouldn't have said 'intent,'" the 53-year-old added during his pregame media conference. "I love Canada. I made the mistake of saying 'intent.' It was a long day, a long trip. I'm very grateful to be in the World Series. ... It was my apologies sincerely."
The exact cause of Roberts' flight delay remains unknown. However, any customs-related issues would have likely been the result of U.S. border patrol, which inspects all passengers returning to the United States.
Pearson Airport includes a preclearence facility that allows travelers to pass through U.S. customs in Canada before boarding their flights south, although it's unknown if the Dodgers were processed in Toronto or Los Angeles. Canadian customs officers inspect all teams - including the hometown Toronto Blue Jays - upon landing in Toronto.
The Dodgers will host Games 3, 4, and 5 of the World Series in Los Angeles from Monday-Wednesday. Should a Game 6 be required, the teams will head back through customs to play at Rogers Centre on Friday.
