Dave Roberts
| Birthdate | 5/31/1972 |
| Death Date | |
| Debut Year | 1999 |
| Year of Induction | |
| Teams | Dodgers, Giants, Indians, Padres, Red Sox |
| Positions | Center Field, Left Field, Manager, Outfield, Pinch Runner |
Three-time World Series champion, Dave Roberts has led the Dodgers to the postseason in each of his seasons in Los Angeles.
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Dave Roberts played a decade in the big leagues and earned a ring with Boston in '04
Dave Roberts played a decade in the big leagues and earned a ring with Boston in '04
Dave Roberts wouldn’t see a pitch in the big leagues for three more years when he filled out this California League publicity questionnaire in 1996. At the time he was a 23-year old college graduate with an uncertain future in baseball.
Listed generously at 5’10”, Roberts exceeded expectations and enjoyed a ten-year Major League playing career.
His shining moment was a clutch stolen base in Game 4 of the 2004 ALCS at against the Yankees at Fenway Park. With his team down 3-0 in the series, Roberts came on as a pinch runner with his team trailing 4-3 in the 9th inning. Though everyone in the ballpark knew he’d be on the move, Roberts swiped the bag anyway and scored when the next batter singled up the middle.
The Red Sox won that game then rode the momentum to become the only team in MLB history to win a series after being down 3-0. Boston went on to win the 2004 World Series to break the team’s 86-year championship drought.
In the collection is this questionnaire filled out entirely in Roberts’ hand. This piece provides a glimpse into the early professional career of the successful skipper.
Dave Roberts was named manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers in November of 2015
Dave Roberts was named manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers in November of 2015
Admired and respected as a player, Dave Roberts became the Dodger skipper in 2016. The National League’s Manager of the Year in his first season, Roberts found immediate success.
He followed up the 2016 performance by piloting Los Angeles to back-to-back World Series appearances. Under his guidance in 2019 the Dodgers set the franchise record for regular-season wins.
In 2020 Dave guided the Dodgers to their first World Series championship since 1988. He followed that up with another Fall Classic title in 2024. Many believe that second managerial triumph makes Roberts a lock for Cooperstown.
In the collection is this lineup card signed by Roberts during that campaign. The May 1st contest took place against Bruce Bochy and the San Francisco Giant.
Hyun-Jin Ryu got the start and threw 8 innings before departing in a 1-1 tie. The season’s eventual MVP Cody Bellinger drove in the only Dodger run as the team lost on a two-out walk-off hit by Buster Posey.
Freddie Freeman's World Series MVP performance gave Dave Roberts his second ring
Freddie Freeman's World Series MVP performance gave Dave Roberts his second ring
Freddie Freeman had a World Series to remember in 2024. In Game 1 he slugged the first walk-off grand slam in Fall Classic history. Freddie followed that up by homering in each of the next three games.
In New York for Game 5, the Dodgers found themselves down 5-0 to Cy Young Award winner Gerrit Cole. The in the fifth inning, Los Angeles clawed back thank in part to Freeman’s two-out, two-run single.
By the time the night was over the Dodgers won 7-6, capping the largest-ever comeback in a World Series-clinching contest. Thanks in large part to his four home runs, Freeman slugged 1.000 in 20 Fall Classic at bats to earn the Series MVP Award.
The win legitimized the Dodger postseason string that reached 12 straight Octobers by 2024. Despite the success, all Dave Roberts’ club had to show for it was a lone Fall Classic triumph in the covid-shortened 2020 campaign.
When Freeman and the Dodgers were crowned champions in 2024, that narrative went out the window. No longer were the Dodgers mentioned in the same breath as the 1995-2005 Braves who boasted 14 straight October appearances with only one ring to show for it.
The Dodger triumph made them the best team of the era. It also likely punched Roberts’ ticket to Cooperstown.
Shown here is the receipt Freeman signed to receive his 2014 All Star ring. The game marked Freeman’s first in the Mid Summer Classic.
