Los Angeles Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman confirmed Dave Roberts will return as manager for the 2023 season while speaking with media at Dodger Stadium on Tuesday.
Friedman and general manager Brandon Gomes held press conference much earlier than anticipated and with the team coming off a disappointing loss to the San Diego Padres in the National League Division Series. The Dodgers’ shocking exit led to some talk outside of the organization speculating the Dodgers would look to make a change at manager.
Friedman said Roberts “100%” was remaining manager of the Dodgers.
“The passion that they have is shared. The expectations that they have, are shared. The disappointment that we all feel, is shared,” Friedman said of frustration Dodgers fans have expressed and some wanting to see change.
“I think it’s just the way I personally see the world, is for everyone you work with that pours themself into this, also feel that same way. It’s us collectively trying to learn what we can from what has happened and putting ourselves in the best position to avoid it going forward.
“I feel like the vast majority of the time the best team has always won the World Series and this happened to be an example of not, then I think it’s easier to point fingers and isolate why. Some of it comes down to what happens in the crazy tournament that is the playoffs of baseball. It cuts both ways.
“It’s exhilarating and awesome when it works out, and it’s crushing when it doesn’t. I just don’t see the world in terms of pointing the finger and firing someone for those reasons. Now, I think as a group, if we’re not constantly trying to get better, even if we won it all this year, I think the mindset of always trying to improve what we do is shared among everyone we work with. Those are people I very much believe in figuring this out with together.”
Also in his remarks, Friedman said Roberts was being unfairly criticized following the Dodgers’ loss in the NLDS.
Back in March, Roberts was signed to a three-year contract extension that runs through the 2025 season. This year he became the first first NL manager in MLB history to lead a team to the playoffs in his first seven seasons.
The last manager to accomplish such a feat was Joe Torre, who did so with the New York Yankees for 12 consecutive seasons.
Roberts’ record of 653-380 (.632) is additionally good for the highest winning percentage of any manager in MLB history (minimum 315 games). It’s bested only by Negro League managers Bullet Rogan, Vic Harris and Rube Foster.
Dave Roberts makes Dodgers pitching decision
Like he has explained in the past, Friedman reiterated Roberts makes in-game pitching decisions and is not simply following a script put together by the front office.
After the Dodgers were eliminated from the NL Championship Series last October, Friedman lent his support to the decision-making by Roberts and the coaching staff.
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