Manager Dave Roberts earned his 700th career win on Monday night with the Los Angeles Dodgers starting their homestand by defeating the Pittsburgh Pirates.
The Dodgers’ 5-2 win came hours after Clayton Kershaw was placed on the 15-day injured list because of left shoulder soreness, and one day removed from a disappointing road trip that ended with back-to-back losses to the Kansas City Royals.
“It was a very good win. Playing at altitude, some delays, and the heat and humidity, and then come back the next night and play after travel, it’s not easy,” Roberts said.
“But the way we showed up, facing an All-Star pitcher, he had his way with us in Pittsburgh. So for us to come out tonight and play well, it was a good sign. Now we’ve got to build that momentum. That’s something we haven’t done a great job of this year, so we have an opportunity with five more games going into the break to play some good baseball.”
Roberts had been on the verge of the managerial milestone since Friday, but was unaware of the situation.
“I didn’t realize it,” he said. “(Max) Muncy and a couple of the guys came through the line and said, ‘Congratulations.’ I had no idea what they were talking about until I got into the office.
“It’s a testament to just a great organization. I certainly had no idea. Just happy to win a baseball game. Great players and a great organization, so very grateful.”
Roberts was the latest career milestone the Dodgers have celebrated this season. They previously held a clubhouse toast for Kershaw reaching his 200th career win, Freddie Freeman’s 300 career home runs and later 2,000 hits, and J.D. Martinez also joining the 300-homer club.
“It’s great, and that shouldn’t be lost,” Roberts answered when asked about the players being aware of teammates’ accomplishments.
“It’s a great point, because in baseball, with the players, they’re very focused on their own performance. Which is certainly expected. But when you have a group of guys that can focus on that but also other peoples’ accomplishments and celebrate those, it speaks to being a great teammate.
“We have a group full of guys that do that. Like I said, I’m very fortunate.”
Dave Roberts history as Dodgers manager
Roberts is in his eighth season as Dodgers manager. He’s guided the club to at least 90 wins in every full year, and during the 2020 season, the Dodgers had the best record at 43-17. The .717 winning percentage extrapolated over a 162-game season amounts to 116 wins.
The Dodgers have won the National League West six times under Roberts, to go along with three pennants and one World Series title.
Roberts’ career .626 winning percentage is the highest of any manager in MLB history (minimum 315 games). It’s bested only by Negro League managers Bullet Rogan (.698), Vic Harris (.663) and Rube Foster (.633).
Among all-time Dodgers managers, Roberts is fifth in total wins. Ahead of him are Walter Alston (2,040), Tommy Lasorda (1,599), Wilbert Robinson (1,375) and Leo Durocher (1,303).
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