While Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts is the first to admit he was not the most talented player, he is responsible for one of the greatest moments in Boston Red Sox postseason history.
Just how impactful was his stolen base against the New York Yankees in Game 4 of the 2004 American League Championship Series? Sure, it sparked the Red Sox to erasing a 3-0 series deficit and becoming eventual World Series champions.
But Roberts’ standing within the organization has many calling for him to throw out a ceremonial first pitch during the World Series. “Obviously for me personally I have a lot of fond memories of the Red Sox and Fenway Park,” he said.
“To be wearing another uniform going in there playing for a World Series championship is going to be special for me.”
Red Sox manager Alex Cora, who once was teammates with Roberts on the Dodgers, joked the stolen base has evolved into quite the successful business venture because of autograph appearances. “Probably not as lucrative as Alex made it sound,” Roberts retorted with a laugh.
He did allow that simply flying into Boston and driving to Fenway Park evoked fond memories. That he gets to match wits with Cora is making the experience all the more memorable.
“Competing with each other, against each other, and to kind of see our different paths and where we’ve come, it’s really exceeded all of our dreams,” Roberts said.
“And this is a dream job for me and I know speaking for him this is his dream job. So for us to play for a world championship, West Coast-East Coast, Dodgers-Red Sox, I just can’t see it getting any better.”
Assuming the Dodgers at minimum exercise their option on Roberts for next season, he and the team will make a visit to Fenway Park as part of Interleague play.
