A new era: Giants and Dodgers embracing

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. - Dave Roberts and Rich Aurilia are best buddies. And happen to represent both sides of one of the greatest rivalries in sports.

“I wish Dave the best,” Aurilia said Sunday before the Giants-Dodgers exhibition at Scottsdale Stadium. “But it’s hard to root for him. I’m in a position where I can’t even say I’ll root for him when he’s not playing the Giants because then everybody would say, ‘What are you doing rooting for the Dodgers?’ ”

Aurilia is a guest coach in the Giants’ training camp, and Roberts is beginning his first year as Dodgers’ manager.

I don’t recall any Giant ever hugging a Dodgers manager near home plate minutes before a first pitch, but that’s what several…