Dave Roberts: A Pioneering Legacy with the Los Angeles Dodgers

In a significant move in the history of Major League Baseball, the Los Angeles Dodgers announced the hiring of Dave Roberts as the franchise’s 28th manager on November 23, 2015. Roberts, who holds African-American and Japanese heritage, marked a milestone as the Dodgers’ first minority manager and the 10th manager since the team transitioned from Brooklyn to Los Angeles.

The announcement, which surprised many followers of the sport, was attended by prominent figures from the team’s hierarchy, including part-owner Magic Johnson, president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman, and then-general manager Farhan Zaidi. The choice of Roberts was unexpected by some, as Gabe Kapler, former Dodgers director of player development, was speculated to be the front-runner and Friedman’s preferred candidate. Kapler later became a manager for the San Francisco Giants.

Under Roberts’ leadership, the Dodgers achieved remarkable success, with the team winning their first division title consecutive years. He became the first manager in MLB history to guide his team to a division title in each of his first four seasons. Notably, in 2016, the Dodgers made history by winning the National League West four years in a row—a first since the Divisional Era commenced in 1969. This streak extended to eight consecutive titles, a record surpassed only by the Atlanta Braves and New York Yankees since 1969.

Roberts led the Dodgers to the World Series in 2017 and 2018, culminating in a World Series victory in 2020, the team’s first since 1988. In 2019, Roberts managed the team to a franchise-record of 106 wins, which was equaled in 2021 and exceeded by the 2022 team with 111 wins. Throughout his tenure, Roberts has directed the Dodgers to an MLB-best record of 851-506, accumulating eight NL West titles, four NL pennants, and two World Series titles.

His accomplishments have been recognized with several accolades, including winning the National League Manager of the Year award in 2016 and being a finalist on multiple occasions thereafter. However, despite his successes, he has often bypassed the top honors in subsequent years.

Dave Roberts boasts the highest winning percentage (.627) among MLB managers with a minimum of 315 games, a record only comparable to prominent Negro League managers Bullet Rogan, Vic Harris, and Rube Foster. This accomplishment underscores his impactful management style and strategic prowess, which have been key to the Dodgers’ sustained success.