Dodgers introduce Dave Roberts as new manager
Dave Roberts was formally introduced as manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers on Tuesday.
Roberts repeated his gratitude to management for bringing him back to Dodger Stadium, where he appeared as an outfielder during his 10 major league seasons.
He was back in a Dodgers‘ uniform on Tuesday as the franchise ushered in a new era and moved on from a split former manager Don Mattingly said was mutual.
On Tuesday, general manager Farhan Zaidi, president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman and owner Magic Johnson were alongside Roberts.
“For me to have an opportunity to put a Dodger uniform on again, it’s come full circle,” Roberts said. “When you look at the Dodger organization and the franchise, it’s a lot of impact people and humans and athletes that made the Dodger franchise what it is today.”
Roberts is the first minority manager in team history.
The Dodgers expect more changes, and Zaidi said the overall approach would include “getting younger.” The team went to the playoffs three straight seasons under Mattingly, who became the manager of the Miami Marlins last month.
“We sensed that there was going to be a real collaborative process in how we put the team together, how he chose to run the team and that really excited us about it,” Zaidi said. “There’s a sort of positivity and energy about Dave that’s sort of the overriding thing in any conversation with him.”
