Thr 2017 World Series pitted two good friends against each other, as Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts and Houston Astros manager AJ Hinch coached together while with the San Diego Padres prior to taking the helm in their current positions.
Ultimately, the Astros came out on top, as they beat the Dodgers in Game 7 in what was an all-time classic back-and-forth series. While Roberts has said he’s unsure if he’ll ever be able to get over the Game 7 loss, it appears he is not letting it affect his friendship with Hinch.
According to Andy McCullough of the L.A. Times, Roberts is opening his home to Hinch, for when he, ironically enough, attends World Series MVP George Springer’s wedding:
Dave Roberts plans to host a visitor at his home next week. He befriended Houston Astros manager A.J. Hinch during half a decade together in the Padres organization, and their bond remained sturdy after seven games as World Series opponents. When Hinch mentioned he was attending a wedding near San Diego, Roberts invited him to stay over. He did not even balk when he learned who the man of honor was.
“He’s going to be in town for Springer’s wedding,” the Dodgers manager mentioned at lunch one afternoon this week.
Springer slugged five home runs and drove in seven runs in the World Series, including a key three-run shot in the second inning of Game 7 that led to a 5-1 victory.
The Astros and Dodgers return their key nucleus of players from last season, and with all the youth within both organizations, it is not out of the question that they meet again in a future World Series.
