TORONTO – The Dodgers arrived in Toronto facing elimination and seeking to become the first team to win back-to-back World Series since the Yankees' three-peat from 1998 to 2000. They had scored a combined three points in two games at Dodger Stadium, and the defending champions needed a pick-me-up.
So their manager decided to take matters into his own hands.
Dave Roberts went from first base to third base with the versatile Hyeseong Kim on Thursday at Rogers Center, and … let's just say it didn't end well for Los Angeles' captain.
Roberts took the lead, and when he reached second, Kim caught up with him, tripped, and landed face first in the infield dirt outside the bag.
“This will be the last full sprint in my life,” Roberts said, smiling before Game 6 on Friday, wearing a similarly grimy hat.
Roberts was no worse for wear and he laughed with his club after the accident.
“I had some medicine on me,” he said. “I'm still going to post. I probably… it wasn't my best decision, but it worked out.”
More than 20 years ago, Roberts stole the most important run in Red Sox history when he struck out the Yankees' Jorge Posada in Game 4 of the 2004 American League Championship Series, winning the series after Boston had lost the first three games.
Just as Roberts' steal in 2004 ignited Boston's greatest postseason comeback in baseball history, the Dodgers hope his latest venture on the basepaths can boost morale and ignite Los Angeles' victories in Games 6 and 7 of the World Series.
“Social media was awash with the biggest stage of the year,” Miguel Rojas said. “Right before facing elimination in Game 6, this guy was lying on the ground with dirt on his uniform, and he didn't step back. So that's what it tells you about Doug, that he's going to do anything for this team to get the energy going.”
First baseman Freddie Freeman emphasized this point when talking to Roberts after the fall, expressing gratitude for the relaxing moment.
“That's what we need,” Freeman said.