For the Dodgers, history was supposed to be celebrated in front of their home fans. After seasons of near misses, the team finally surpassed the elusive 4-million fan mark, which is an achievement that highlighted the team’s popularity and dominance at the box office. But not everything goes according to script, as the twist came with the reality that the team’s most vital milestone would not be sealed at Dodger Stadium. 

On one side, the fans had etched their name into history as the most loyal fans in MLB, providing packed houses night after night. On the side, the fans watched their team stumble at the finish line, forced to chase the division crown on the road instead of celebrating it under the lights of Chavez Ravine. It was a sad reminder that baseball, for all its pageantry, rarely provides the perfect script.

Dave Roberts did not hesitate in acknowledging the disappointment. Speaking at the pre-game presser, he said, “Yeah, I’m in a place of trying to look forward, but I guess just take a step back. I mean, as far as the four million fans, it’s been like every season, it’s been an up and down emotional year. For these fans to post and show up, you know, every day, it’s incredible.” Roberts went on to call the fans “the best in sports” and recognized how deeply the team’s passion had fueled the team all season long.

So why the apology? Dave Roberts clarified his stance further in that same interview, saying, “I definitely want to and should acknowledge what the fans have done, but I think our head right now, to be honest, is winning this division and going forward… unfortunately, you can’t do that at home, though, if you’re not doing that with the three… I just want to win the division and get to the postseason.” In short, Roberts’ statement carried gratitude and regret. On one side, the statement carried thankfulness for such a record-breaking support, and on the other side, it carried sorrow that the division crown celebration would not belong to Dodger Stadium.

To put it simply, he wanted the dream moment as much as the fans did. The fans had waited to erupt in their own ballpark, mixing a historic attendance milestone with the joy of clinching. Instead, the celebration shifted elsewhere. And it left some to wonder what could have been. However, Roberts’ apology highlighted that the team understood the sting.

Still, as Dave Roberts voiced his apology, another storyline began swirling that added more heat to the team’s postseason buzz.

Rivals upset over Shohei Ohtani playoff exemption

Just as Roberts was dealing with the bittersweet reality of missing the Dodgers’ dream clinch at home, rival teams began raising eyebrows over a unique playoff wrinkle engaging Shohei Ohtani. As per reports, MLB granted the Dodgers an unusual roster flexibility because of Shohei Ohtani’s rare two-way status. The exemption effectively provides the team one more pitcher than their competitors, and this detail has sparked frustration across MLB 

As Bob Nightengale of USA Today said, if Shohei Ohtani begins a game as a pitcher, the star can remain as the designated hitter after leaving the field. However, if Ohtani begins as the DH and later pitches in relief, the team would lose their DH unless the star moved to the outfield: something he has not done since 2021. That technicality has left rival managers uneasy, with some feeling the Dodgers have gained an unfair advantage at the most vital time of the season.

The Dodgers are now balancing gratitude with controversy: apologizing to four million fans for a missed home celebration while facing league-wide scrutiny over Shohei Ohtani’s playoff status. The stage is established for October drama, and whether advantage or distraction, all focus will be on the Dodgers as the team chases another title.