As the MLB lockout continues with no end in sight, this has been far from a normal offseason for everyone involved with the sport.
For Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, he has not been able to go through his normal routine of connecting with players during this time and said this offseason has been a “different” experience.
Spring Training is likely to be delayed and the start of the season is also in jeopardy as team owners are reportedly willing to cancel games if the Players Association doesn’t drop more of their asks in a new collective bargaining agreement.
Despite that, Roberts remains optimistic that baseball will soon return and he is eager to get back to managing even though he has enjoyed the extra time with his family, via Kirsten Watson of SportsNet LA:
“I love time with the family, but it’s that time of year when spring finally hits and you start wanting to get back to work. I’m optimistic we’re going to get back to Spring Training and get baseball going again.”
Once the lockout does end, Roberts believes teams and players will return to the field quickly to get the season back on track, and with so many players still unsigned, there should be a flurry of transactions before Spring Training games resume.
The Dodgers could have used this downtime to work out a contract extension with Roberts but they have surprisingly yet to agree to a deal. Roberts is entering the final year of his four-year contract and both sides have said they would like to get a new deal done.
Even without an extension in place, Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman downplayed the possibility of Roberts being a lame-duck manager next year.
Roberts, David Robinson relayed Jackie Robinson memories
Roberts and the Dodgers welcomed 60 softball and baseball players from John Muir High School to Dodger Stadium last week for a celebration of Jackie Robinson on what was his 103rd birthday.
Roberts served as host of the event, and he was joined via video conference by David Robinson, one of Jackie and Rachel’s three children. Roberts and the youngest of the three Robinson children shared their perspective of the famed Dodgers icon.
“I think part of my job and the thing that gives me some of the most joy with my job is being a storyteller,” Roberts said. “I think you guys know the name Jackie Robinson and his impact, but to hear it from me and his son David, it’s going to be really rewarding, exciting and it’s also going to equip you guys to tell the story yourself.
“That’s what creates a legacy and ultimately is history. For me to be the first man of color to manage the Dodgers, and also be bi-racial and have Asian descent, I hold very dear to my heart.”
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