Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts was on hand at the Rose Bowl for the crosstown rivalry game between his alma mater UCLA and the USC Trojans.
Roberts was on the field prior to kickoff, getting an opportunity to speak with some of the Bruins coaching staff and UCLA Alice and Nahum Lainer Family Director of Athletics Martin Jarmond, among others.
Roberts then went up into a suite before making his way back down onto Spieker Field for a formal recognition prior to the second quarter beginning.
UCLA played a Dodgers World Series highlights video and introduced Roberts out of the tunnel, where he was met by Bruins baseball head coach John Savage and other dignitaries.
LA showing love to Doc. 🥹 pic.twitter.com/QzBqFx31KZ
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) November 24, 2024
Roberts united the rival fanbases as he received loud cheers and a standing ovation from some sections of the Rose Bowl. Savage presented him with a custom UCLA football jersey that was No. 24 and had “WS CHAMPS” as the last name. That of course was an ode to the Dodgers winning the 2024 World Series, which was Roberts’ second as manager and third all-time.
Unfortunately for the future Hall of Famer, his Bruins were not able to get bowl eligible as they lost a late lead to the Trojans.
USC scored the go-ahead touchdown on a four-yard pass from Jayden Maiava to Ja’Kobi Lane with just under seven minutes remaining in the game. The Trojans later added a field goal to finish with a 19-13 comeback win on a misty night in Pasadena.
Dave Roberts’ UCLA career
Roberts was the captain of the 1994 UCLA baseball team and he graduated from the university in 1995. Roberts is the UCLA record holder for most career stolen bases with 109 and his 45 in 1994 are a single-season high.
Roberts additionally ranks in the top 10 in UCLA baseball history in triples (fifth place; 10), at-bats (fifth; 784), walks (tied sixth; 128), hits (ninth; 242) and runs scored (10th; 177).
The Bruins inducted Roberts into the UCLA Athletics Hall of Fame in 2020.
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