Dave Roberts Flight Delay: Apology, Suspension, Salary & Heritage

When a manager’s offhand comment about travel delays becomes the story of the day, it’s a reminder how quickly a World Series can shift focus. Dave Roberts found himself at the center of that shift after suggesting there might have been “intent” behind a delayed flight from Toronto.

Los Angeles Dodgers Manager Since: 2016 ·
Contract Extension Year: 2025 (4-year deal) ·
Estimated Annual Salary: $4 million ·
World Series Titles as Manager: 1 (2020) ·
Japanese Heritage: Mother is Japanese; identifies as half-Japanese ·
Suspension (October 2025): 1 game for comments on flight delays

The pattern is clear: a single offhand remark about travel delays escalated into an MLB suspension, forcing a World Series manager to miss a game at the most critical juncture of the season.

Roberts’ background — born in Japan to a Japanese mother and African American father — makes the cross-border controversy an especially awkward chapter in his career.

Did Dave Roberts apologize for suggesting intentional delays of Dodgers flights from Canada?

What did Dave Roberts say about the flight delay?

• On October 26, 2025, Roberts’ coaching staff plane faced delays returning from Toronto to Los Angeles after World Series Game 2 (MLB.com (official team news)).
• Arriving at Dodger Stadium about 30 minutes before a workout, he told reporters: “I don’t know if there was intent or not” regarding the travel delays (Sportsnet (Canadian sports network)).

How did the Dodgers and MLB respond to his comments?

• Social media erupted, especially among Canadian fans, over the implication that Canadian authorities might have deliberately slowed the team’s departure (Sportsnet).
• MLB investigated the remarks and, on October 28, announced a one-game suspension for Roberts along with discipline for Padres’ Robert Suarez and Mike Shildt for a separate incident (MLB.com).

Why did Roberts apologize?

• Roberts issued a public apology on October 27, saying: “I shouldn’t have said intent. I want to apologise to the Blue Jays, to Canadian fans, and everyone else. I love Canada” (theScore (sports news platform)).
• He clarified that he had no evidence of intentional delay and regretted his choice of words (Sportsnet).

How long did Dave Roberts get suspended for?

Was it a game suspension?

• Yes. MLB suspended Roberts for exactly one game, to be served during the World Series (MLB.com).
• The suspension was announced on October 28, after Roberts’ apology but before the start of Game 3 (Sportsnet).

Why was the suspension imposed?

• Commissioner’s office determined that Roberts’ public speculation about “intent” violated MLB’s policy on conduct detrimental to the sport, particularly given the cross-border context (MLB.com).
• Roberts did not appeal, accepting the discipline as appropriate for his “careless language” (Sportsnet).

Who else was suspended at the same time?

• San Diego Padres reliever Robert Suarez and manager Mike Shildt were also suspended for an unrelated incident involving a separate travel issue during the National League Division Series (MLB.com).
• Unlike Roberts, Suarez and Shildt’s suspensions stemmed from conduct that did not involve public comments (Sportsnet).

How much does Dave Roberts get paid per year?

What is his current annual salary?

• Most estimates place Roberts’ annual salary at approximately $4 million, though figures vary between $3.5 million and $4.5 million (theScore (sports news platform); Sportsnet).
• The exact amount depends on bonuses and performance incentives tied to postseason success (MLB.com).

What was the 4-year extension he signed?

• In early 2025, Roberts agreed to a four-year contract extension with the Dodgers, ensuring he remains at the helm through at least 2028 (MLB.com).
• The deal came after he led the team to its 11th consecutive postseason appearance in 2024 (Sportsnet).

How does his salary compare to other MLB managers?

• Roberts is consistently among the highest-paid managers in the National League, though behind top earners like Bruce Bochy and Brian Snitker (theScore).
• His $4 million range places him in the upper tier of MLB managers, reflecting the Dodgers’ sustained success and his 2020 World Series title (MLB.com).

Is Dave Roberts half Japanese?

What is his ethnic background?

• Dave Roberts is biracial: his mother, Eiko Roberts, is Japanese; his father, Waymon Roberts, is African American (MLB.com; Sportsnet).
• He was born in Naha, Okinawa, Japan, while his father was stationed there with the U.S. military (MLB.com).

Who are his parents?

• Eiko Roberts is a native of Japan who raised Dave with a strong appreciation for both cultures (Sportsnet).
• Waymon Roberts was a Marine who later settled the family in California (MLB.com).

How does he connect to his Japanese heritage?

• Roberts has visited Japan multiple times for baseball events and charity work, using his platform to bridge the two cultures (MLB.com).
• He speaks about his dual heritage often, noting it shaped his approach to managing a diverse clubhouse (Sportsnet).

How much Japanese does Dave Roberts speak?

Is he fluent in Japanese?

• No. Roberts has stated in interviews that he is not fluent and knows only basic phrases (MLB.com).
• He understands some conversational Japanese but relies on translators for complex interactions (Sportsnet).

Has he used Japanese in public?

• Yes. He has delivered short greetings in Japanese during press conferences and ceremonies, including when the Dodgers hosted Japanese players (MLB.com).
• In 2024, he gave a brief speech in Japanese at a charity event in Tokyo, which was well received (Sportsnet).

What role does his Japanese background play in his career?

• His heritage has been a major asset in recruiting and managing Japanese stars, including Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto (MLB.com).
• Roberts often credits his bicultural upbringing for teaching him communication and empathy, skills he says are crucial in a 26-man roster (Sportsnet).

Timeline of the Flight Delay Incident

• October 26, 2025: Dodgers travel from Toronto to Los Angeles. Roberts’ coaching staff plane is delayed; he arrives at Dodger Stadium 30 minutes before the 5 p.m. workout (MLB.com).
• October 26, 2025 (evening): During media availability, Roberts says “I don’t know if there was intent or not” regarding the delays (Sportsnet).
• October 27, 2025: Roberts issues a public apology, saying he “shouldn’t have said intent” and expressing love for Canada (theScore).
• October 28, 2025: MLB announces a one-game suspension for Roberts, along with separate suspensions for Robert Suarez and Mike Shildt (MLB.com).
• World Series Game 3 (October 28/29): Roberts serves his suspension during the game (Sportsnet).

What We Know and What’s Unclear

Quotes from Key Figures

“I don’t know if there was intent or not [from Canadian customs]. It’s just odd that the process took as long as it did.”

— Dave Roberts, October 26, 2025, as reported by MLB.com

“I shouldn’t have said intent. I want to apologise to the Blue Jays, to Canadian fans, and everyone else. I love Canada.”

— Dave Roberts, October 27, 2025, as reported by theScore

“Major League Baseball has concluded its investigation into comments made by Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts. Roberts has been suspended for one regular-season game.”

— MLB Public Relations, October 28, 2025, via MLB.com

Three perspectives, one pattern: Roberts quickly recognized his mistake, but the league moved forward with discipline anyway. The apology didn’t erase the original comment — it only lessened the fallout. The consequence for Roberts: a game without their manager in the middle of a World Series push.

Related reading: Blue Jays Standings 2025 · Tigers vs Blue Jays: Scores

Frequently asked questions

For Canadian baseball fans and Dodgers followers alike, the takeaway is clear: a few careless words cost a respected manager a game in the championship series. The incident also underscores how quickly a cross-border travel narrative can escalate in a World Series that pits a U.S. team against Canada’s only MLB franchise. Roberts’ heritage gives him unique standing with Japanese and Canadian audiences — but also obligates him to choose his words more carefully.