The Dodgers arrived in Toronto facing elimination in their quest to become the first team to win back-to-back World Series titles since the Yankees won three straight from 1998-2000. Coming off two games over which they scored a combined three runs at Dodger Stadium, the defending champs needed a pick-me-up.
So their manager decided to take matters into his own hands.
Dave Roberts raced utilityman Hyeseong Kim from first base to third at Rogers Centre on Thursday, and … let’s just say it didn’t end well for L.A.’s skipper.
Roberts was given a headstart, and as he was rounding second with Kim gaining on him, he tripped and faceplanted into the infield dirt just beyond the bag.
Roberts was no worse for the wear and laughed along with his club after the mishap.
It’s been more than 20 years since Roberts stole the most important base in the history of the Red Sox, just beating the throw by the Yankees’ Jorge Posada in Game 4 of the 2004 American League Championship Series — a series won by Boston after it lost the first three games.
Just as Roberts’ steal back in 2004 was the spark that ignited Boston’s run to the greatest postseason comeback in baseball history, the Dodgers hope his latest adventure on the basepaths will boost morale and ignite a comeback for Los Angeles with wins in Game 6 and Game 7 of the World Series.
First baseman Freddie Freeman underscored that when he spoke to Roberts after the tumble, expressing gratitude for the lighthearted moment.
“That’s what we needed,” Freeman said.
