The Los Angeles Dodgers have enjoyed unprecedented success under Dave Roberts since he was named the 32nd manager in franchise history nearly a decade ago.
Roberts has led the team to the playoffs in all nine of his seasons at the helm, winning eight National League West titles, four pennants and two World Series championships.
Despite his success, Roberts has been subject to plenty of criticism over the years. His bullpen management, among other in-game decisions, have been particularly questioned throughout his managerial career. Especially in the postseason.
However, the Dodgers’ recent success has turned those doubters into believers.
“It’s always nice to be liked, isn’t it?” Roberts quipped. “I just think obviously when you have results, which we’ve had, I think people start to understand the method to my madness, the organization’s madness, and things start to make sense.
“When you’re in it and until you start to see success, then you can look back and go, ‘Oh, I get it now.’ I think that’s kind of where I’d like to think everyone is at. Some people will never get there, and that’s OK. But it’s good to be liked.”
Roberts has come a long way in his career as Dodgers manager, seemingly learning from past mistakes and evolving each year.
The 2024 season was arguably Roberts’ most challenging yet due to the plethora of injuries the Dodgers had to navigate. His performance earned him praise from several members of the organization, including president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman, general manager Brandon Gomes and several players.
Roberts has guided the Dodgers to at least 90 wins in every full year as manager. The lone exception was the shortened 2020 season, when he led the team to the Majors’ best record at 43-17.
Roberts is currently fourth in wins among all-time Dodgers managers with 853. He joined Walter Alston (four) and Tommy Lasorda (two) as the only managers in Dodgers franchise history to lead the team to multiple World Series titles.
Dave Roberts signs historic contract extension
Prior to the Dodgers traveling to Japan for the Tokyo Series, Roberts signed a record-breaking contract extension that will keep him as manager through at least the 2029 season.
Roberts’ new deal makes him the highest-paid manager in MLB history by average annual value, surpassing Craig Counsell, who signed a five-year, $40 million deal with the Chicago Cubs last year.
Counsell remains the highest-paid manager overall with his contract.
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