The Los Angeles Dodgers’ Game 5 against the San Diego Padres in the National League Division Series proved to be an emotional win for the club, and it also set an MLB record for manager Dave Roberts.
It was the eighth eighth winner-take-all playoff game Roberts has managed with the Dodgers. That broke a tie with Bobby Cox (Atlanta Braves) and Joe Torre (New York Yankees) for most postseason winner-take-all games managed with one team in MLB history.
In those contests, Roberts has gone 6-2 with the Dodgers, losing only in 2017 against the Houston Astros, later revealed to be cheating, and the eventual World Series Champion Washington Nationals in 2019.
“You can kind of feel if guys are afraid to fail,” Roberts said of being in those settings. “It’s a different feeling. There’s not always tomorrow, like we always say in baseball. So that’s a different feel, just knowing the pulse of the guys. I didn’t realize I have. But, yeah, it’s a good spot to be in if you’re ready for it.”
In those situations, some managers may prefer to give a pregame speech in the clubhouse or during the workouts, but that’s not what Roberts chose to do as the Dodgers faced elimination against the Padres.
“I have one-off conversations,” he said. “I kind of make my rounds. What’s that called, leadership by wandering? I kind of make my way around the clubhouse, the field. So I don’t need to have a big meeting, no. We’re good.”
Roberts’ style of managing has been more on the relaxed side throughout his tenure, which has drawn criticism from those who prefer a more fiery approach. However, Roberts has drawn constant praise from players and those who are around him for keeping things from spiraling during the ups and downs of a season.
His steady presence and style has led the Dodgers to a postseason berth in each season Roberts has been with the club, five trips to the NL Championship Series and three appearances in the World Series with the chance to add another this year.
Dave Roberts had strategy in criticizing Manny Machado
During media availability before a Dodgers’ workout, Roberts was asked about Manny Machado appearing to throw a baseball toward his direction in the dugout. Jack Flaherty, who exchanged words with Machado during Game 2, was first to reveal the Padres’ star had thrown the ball in the Dodgers’ direction.
Flaherty did not detail it hit the protective netting right in the spot where Roberts was seated. Roberts hadn’t realized it at the time, but called the sequence “unsettling” and “very bothersome” upon watching video of it.
After the Dodgers eliminated the Padres in Game 5 of the NLDS, Roberts revealed his comments were made in effort to take pressure off his players.
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