Dodgers manager Dave Roberts puts ‘absurd’ Manager of the Year voters on blast

The Los Angeles Dodgers are coming off a three-game sweep of the Kansas City Royals. Now, they will begin a four-game series against the other top team in the National League, the Milwaukee Brewers.

Dave Roberts, the Dodgers manager, won the NL Manager of the Year in 2016, but the last two years it has gone to Pat Murphy of the Brewers. Roberts is fine with that, but he is not happy with not being in the conversation, per Bob Nightengale of USA Today.

“In all honesty, I felt Pat Murphy [of the Milwaukee Brewers] should have won the last two years,” Roberts says. “He deserved to be the National League Manager of the Year. But the thing that drives me crazy is that I’m not even considered in the top five. I think that’s absurd. It just speaks to what people feel that it’s a turn-key operation.”

Since taking over as the Dodgers manager in 2016, he is 1,014-622. Roberts also has led the Dodgers to the playoffs all ten seasons, including bringing them to the World Series five times and winning three World Series. Still, in the last two seasons he has not been considered for the NL Manager of the Year award. Murphy took 27 first-place votes, while Terry Francona got two first-place votes, and Rob Thomson of the Philadelphia Phillies got one. Meanwhile, Craig Counsell, Clayton McCullough, Torey Lovullo, and Mike Shildt all got voted in 2025.

In 2024, five different managers got first-place votes, while Brian Snitker of the Atlanta Braves also finished ahead of Roberts in voting. Roberts took three second-place votes and three third-place votes.

Roberts is seen as a “players’ manager,” but he is not given credit for his tactical ability.

“He’s the best I’ve ever seen the way he runs a bullpen,” Dodgers veteran reliever Evan Phillips said. “He knows when to deploy a guy, what role is suited for a guy that particular day, protecting guys, and challenging guys too. That’s why you see guys like Tanner Scott and Edwin Diaz who sign here wanting to be a part of this.”

Being labeled a players managers and not seeing the tactical side of the game is something that has bothered Roberts, both for himself and others put in that boat.

“It was so frustrating,” Roberts said, “to hear people always say, ‘Dusty is a great players’ manager. He’s so fun. He’s so positive. He can relate so well to his players. What a great guy.’ I don’t know if it’s the color of his skin or what, but no one ever talked about good of a tactician he was. That always bugged me.”

The Dodgers and Brewers have the two best records in the National League. They will begin their series on Thursday night.

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