Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts was snubbed yet again for the National League Manager of the Year award.
Roberts was not named one of three finalists for the award. San Diego Padres’ Mike Shildt, New York Mets’ Carlos Mendoza, and Milwaukee Brewers’ Pat Murphy were named the three finalists.
Roberts had arguably his best job as a manager this year with the Dodgers, navigating tons of injuries, especially to the pitching staff. Still, Roberts was able to lead the Dodgers to the best record in Major League Baseball, and, of course, a World Series win.
This is a regular season award, which means postseason results don’t matter. Still, it’s funny that Roberts’ Dodgers defeated the teams of two of the finalists (Padres and Mets) in the postseason en route to their World Series win.
Roberts has won the award just once in his debut season with the Dodgers in 2016. Since, he’s finished in the top six every year, and finished in second place twice (2017 and 2022). He’ll surely be a top-six finisher again this year.
While Roberts doesn’t need the award to validate himself, it continues to show the disrespect he receives despite his continued success with L.A. While he didn’t get the respect in the award voting, he got more than enough validation this season.
Mookie Betts called Roberts the “real reason” the Dodgers won the World Series this year, while his mound visit to Blake Treinen in Game 5 of the World Series demonstrated his impact on the team.
Additionally, after the season, general manager Brandon Gomes said the team plans to extend Roberts this offseason.
Roberts isn’t going to win his second Manager of the Year award this year, but he already won his second World Series title, and is well on his way to a Hall of Fame managerial career.
