Back in Spring Training, manager Dave Roberts asserted that if the Los Angeles Dodgers starting staff remained healthy, his club would win the 2022 World Series.
The Dodgers then went out and set a franchise record with 111 wins en route to securing home-field advantage through the World Series. Roberts stuck with his guarantee when asked about it along the way, and he had the support of Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman.
“I loved it. It’s different from me personally, but I loved that he did it,” Friedman recently said.
“Dave’s got that energy and confidence, which I love,” said Friedman. “Obviously it’s what all of our goals are, so I loved that he came out and said it. I told him after he did it, it’s not something I’m very good at, but I loved that he did it.'”
Roberts has managed some special rosters in his time with the Dodgers, but this year they were the second-best in National League history, only behind the 1906 Chicago Cubs that won 116 games.
The Dodgers’ success is all the more impressive when taking into account their rash of injuries to pitching staff, which included losing Walker Buehler to right flexor tendon repair and second Tommy John surgery.
Andrew Heaney, Clayton Kershaw and Tony Gonsolin also spent time on the 15-day injured list as well.
Nevertheless, Roberts continued to standby his prediction, citing the Dodgers’ collective effort throughout the pitching staff.
Dave Roberts: Dodgers clubhouse was aligned with World Series guarantee
Making a statement guaranteeing a championship undoubtedly adds an extra layer to the mix, but Roberts and the Dodgers haven’t wavered in their approach.
“I think it’s our expectation,” Roberts said this year. “It’s very clear what our goal is, and anyone that knows baseball expects that from us anyway. So every man in the clubhouse feels the exact same way.”
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