Dodgers manager backtracks after complaining about travel from Toronto

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts made a powerful enemy out of many Toronto Blue Jays fans throughout Canada on Sunday.

When asked by a reporter at Dodger Stadium who'd experienced his own travel delays from Toronto to Los Angeles, Roberts had an interesting choice of words.

"I don't want to get too far into it. I just arrived about 30 minutes ago. So there was some delays. I don't know if there was intent or not. But, man, the international stuff was a bear. But we made it. We made it," Roberts said.

It was the intent part of the quote that stirred up the most reaction online.

Was the manager of the Dodgers really suggesting that someone was sabotaging their team's travel? Doesn't he know he was going through American customs?

In a follow-up article with The Athletic's Andy McCullough, Roberts clarified what he was trying to say.

"Canada is not trying to sabotage the Dodgers," Roberts said, also admitting that "intent" was a poor word choice. "I know that. It was just a long day."

The Dodgers manager added that part of the delay was due to the fact that team staff and players took up four separate planes on the way back from Toronto.

Roberts also joked that Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, who was at the Rogers Centre last Thursday, probably wasn't too focused on giving the Dodgers a hard time on the way home.

"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."

The Blue Jays and Dodgers take to the field for Game 3 of the World Series on Monday night, with the series tied 1-1. Max Scherzer has been named Toronto's starting pitcher, while Tyler Glasnow gets the ball for the Dodgers.