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Dave Roberts was introduced as the 10th manager in Los Angeles Dodgers’ history on Tuesday, and the initial returns were overwhelmingly positive. That isn’t a surprise because you’d be hard-pressed to find someone to say a bad word about him.
He seemed excited to be the next navigator and, most importantly, is open to the new way of managing in today’s baseball.
In an interview on AM 570, he said he would make the ultimate decision on lineups and pitching changes, but that he also welcomes as much information as possible to help make said decisions.
This is what he said about collaboration with the front office at the press conference.
“I’m definitely open to it. I welcome it. I think it goes to always getting better. You look back at me in the minor leagues, scouting, getting information from coaches, being a Major League players, you’re always getting information. I was one of those guys who was always into video, trying to get an edge. And so now the way the game has evolved, I think we’ve got the brightest people in baseball here in this organization … to have that at our disposal, it’s special and something that I welcome. … All great organizations in any industry depend on collaboration.”
This is the ideal situation. It isn’t a “numbers vs. scouting” thing, it’s a “numbers and scouting” thing. The sooner people realize that, the sooner we can stop this foolish “debate.”
He said this about his managerial approach.
“I don’t think I have a particular style. I think that (depends) on personnel. It’s about as a manager and coaching staff and teacher getting the best out of your players. … As far as things I believe in, it’s more of accountability, more of as a group counting on one another, trying to make each other better.”
This is absolutely true. You can’t try to “square peg, round hole” this. If the Dodgers don’t have a lot of base-stealing threats, then guess what? They aren’t going to steal a lot of bases. If they have guys who are good at walking and hitting the ball hard (as they were in 2015), then that’s how he’ll manage the team.
Finally, on chemistry.
“Winning is always a cure-all. … I think there’s a lot of different ways to create clubhouse chemistry. … I think it’s a responsibility for a manager to be a teacher and to provide energy every single day.”
and
“To me, the culture is going to be more positive-driven, energy-driven. It goes back to guys have got to care about one another. If you can care about the guy next to you, and really want the best for him, then I think everything else takes care of itself.”
This is great to hear. Chemistry is a real thing, but at the same time, it’s way overblown in the media. Yes, winning is a cure-all. The way Roberts manages that chemistry will be his responsibility — and I’m guessing he’ll do a good job with it.
Roberts and the front office will, hopefully, choose a coaching staff this week. Andrew Friedman said Roberts is “driving that process,” as he should. Gabe Kapler could be a coaching staff candidate. Friedman said Kapler will stick around, but he didn’t say in which role. Kapler could very well be back as the farm director. He could also come in as Roberts’ bench coach. We should know the answer before too long.
Welcome (back) to Los Angeles, Dave. Here’s to a successful 2016 and beyond.
(Big thanks to Dodger Insider for the transcribed quotes from the presser)
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This isn’t good. Hope Don Newcombe is OK.
Dodgers exec Don Newcombe passed out following the Dave Roberts press conference and is being taken to a hospital.
— Ken Gurnick (@kengurnick) December 1, 2015
