Even though manager Dave Roberts gets to roll out a lineup featuring All-Star after All-Star, the Los Angeles Dodgers manager understandably is under a ton of pressure.
The expectations in Los Angeles given the money spent by the ownership group are as high as anywhere in the big leagues. While winning a division title nearly a decade-straight would be fantastic for virtually every other franchise, it’s expected with the Dodgers.
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Bob Nightengale recently did a feature on the skipper for USA TODAY. Roberts and his psyche was analyzed, and that included a deep dive into the pressure he faces being the manager of the highest-profile team in the sport.
When asking players about the manager and his disposition, Mookie Betts specifically talked about how special the relationship is between himself and Roberts.
“He’s like a mentor of mine. He’s like a dad sometimes. He’s like a coach sometimes. He puts on a lot of hats when it comes to me,” Roberts said. “I love him. He knows I love him. We’re in this thing together.
“You know, playing 162, especially with this group having so many talented guys, it’s hard. It’s hard to manage all of the personalities, especially when guys are underperforming.”
Betts then made a declarative statement that must make Roberts feel extremely good about the job he’s done since Betts came over from Boston a handful of years ago.
“He definitely rides the highs with us, but he never gets low. He’s always telling us how he believes in us and he tells us he loves us,” Betts said. “It’s hard to explain, but he just does it right. He’s arguably the best manager I’ve ever had.”
Roberts is not a rah-rah guy by any stretch. Even-keeled and warm in nature, the ex-player relates to his athletes while at the same time operating with large levels of respect rather than with a militant, old school feel.
It most certainly resonates with his players, and “Doc” is among the most well-respected managers in the game. With a host of All-Stars, and future Hall of Famers, Roberts biggest task (and strength) is being able to manage the personalities and egos associated with the talent.
While still seemingly feeling underrated by national pundits, Roberts continues to operate with his head down in search of yet another World Series title.
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Photo Credit: Kim Klement-Neitzel-USA TODAY Sports
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4 Responses
Snell was is dominant! Kudos to the players, coaches, and frt office!! Lets geaux Dodgers!! New Orleans Dodger
Snell is making every one of those $182 million worth it with his performances since coming off the IL!
How wrong could I have been, so far. I didn’t expect, nor see this coming, not with the underperforming bullpen, and up to now, runners left on base with batter “fatigue”, coming into the post-season, along with the starting pitching being so fragile. That the starting pitching has been performing as it is, that the bats have gained some consistency, including at the bottom of the order, I would call it propitious timing. The late innings of the bullpen have been nightmarish, and yet here they are, up 2-0 against the Phillies, after sweeping the Reds 2-0. What slight of hand magic is this? I’ve got to know.
It’s really something else. Feels like this time just decided to lock in after cruising through the regular season. At the end of the day, they do have the best roster in baseball and are finally playing like it!