When the Dodgers won the championship series, manager Dave Roberts caught baseball’s attention with a simple comment: “Let’s get four more wins and really ruin baseball.”

He was referring to the commentary that with collective bargaining negotiations between the owners and the players’ association looming after the 2026 season, the Dodgers — one of the wealthiest teams in baseball — would ensure a lockout if they won the World Series this year.

On Thursday, he clarified: It was a joke.

“I don’t feel like I’m the villain,” Roberts said. “I was just poking fun at some people who said the Dodgers were ruining baseball. Clearly I don’t believe that.”

“I was just having a little fun with people who said that about the Dodgers, but I hope I’m not the villain.”

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