The Los Angeles Dodgers hired Dave Roberts to be the organization’s 32nd manager in 2016, and after a little over 900 games at the helm, advice he received from the late Tommy Lasorda resonates even more.
Roberts has firmly cemented himself as one of the most decorated managers in Dodgers franchise history. Through his first six seasons, he’s guided the team to three National League pennants, a World Series title in 2020, and a Manager of the Year Award.
Now Roberts has a Dodgers team that is again a World Series favorite. He trails only Walter Alston, who managed the Dodgers from 1954-1976, in winning percentage among managers in franchise history.
For all of his success in L.A., being manager of a club with the highest expectations in the sport comes with scrutinty, even when Roberts has his team on top.
Roberts appreciates the history of the Dodgers franchise and recalled advice received from Lasorda that has held true, via Andy McCullough of The Athletic:
“When things go well, the players get all the credit,” Lasorda told him. “And then when things go bad, it’s your fault.” The subsequent years have proved Lasorda right, Roberts feels. “Oh, I’ve lived it,” he said.
With success comes critiques, and Roberts has embraced that. His mistakes have been magnified, dissected, and openly scrutinized by fans, writers and even a former United States President.
Roberts has said Lasorda embodied what it meant to be a ‘Dodger.’ Winning a World Series in L.A. put him in special company with Lasorda and Alston.
Roberts joined the Dodgers with a roster that was ready to win, and he did just that. He led the team to five straight NL West titles from 2016-2020 and has yet to miss the postseason as a manager.
Roberts happy to have earned the trust of the Dodgers front office
After weeks of insisting an agreement would be reached, the Dodgers signed Roberts to a three-year contract extension in March that keeps him with the organization through the 2025 season.
The Dodgers recognizing his success and committing to Roberts through 2025, shows how much he means to the franchise. Roberts has managed with overwhelming support for players and is never short while expressing his respect for the Dodgers organization, which he did again after signing the extension.
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