Roberts Achieves 1,000 Career Wins
WEST SACRAMENTO – The moment the final out was made, cheers erupted. They followed the Dodgers through the postgame handshake and only subsided when the Man of the Night left the field entirely.
With a 9-3 victory over the Athletics on Tuesday night, Dave Roberts etched his name in the history books as the 69th manager in MLB history to hit 1,000 career wins, doing so faster than anyone ever associated with the organization.
This is a noteworthy milestone. A crowd of 12,387 Dodgers supporters at Sutter Health Park cheered and waved as they made their way back to the clubhouse, ready to celebrate their manager.
“I know the word surreal is often used, but it really is surreal,” Roberts remarked after toasting with his players and sharing hugs with the traveling staff. “When I stepped back and considered everything, it felt exciting. I really enjoyed it.”
But, to be honest, this wasn’t how Roberts expected to celebrate this milestone—on a regular Tuesday night at a Triple-A stadium hosting the Athletics.
Roberts, who first took the manager position with the Dodgers in 2016, never imagined reaching 1,000 wins. The success he has had along the way was equally unexpected.
“Clearly, I’ve been doing this for 11 years, and that’s quite a stretch of consistent success,” he joked. “This is the life I chose. It’s great to look back and think, ‘Wow, I’m here.’ I feel like I’m still improving and still loving it.”
On his 11th season and 1,606th game at the helm, Roberts could take a moment to appreciate what his team had accomplished. They clinched their 1,000th win without much fuss, making progress toward what could be a Hall of Fame career.
The Dodgers wasted no time, jumping to a two-run lead in the first inning. Tommy Edman’s three-run homer in the third (part of a four-hit, four-RBI night) and Miguel Rojas’ solo shot in the sixth broke things open. The team kept the momentum going, with Justin Roblewski contributing a stellar performance, including a career-high 11 strikeouts, leading to a series victory.
“Good players make for a good coach,” Roberts quipped.
Despite his roster’s impressive talent, Roberts’ upbeat and positive approach has been equally crucial in keeping everything together.
“He’s a special guy,” shortstop Mookie Betts said prior to the game. “I see him more as a baseball dad than just a manager. He’s always there… much more than a coach.”
At 54, Roberts has led the team to nine division titles, five National League championships, and three World Series wins. His accomplishments stand out in Dodgers history; only Walter Alston has more than four World Series wins and few racked up as many victories.
Roberts’ winning percentage of .622 is a record, and no player has claimed as many championships as swiftly as he has in recent years, bolstering the Dodgers’ position as a modern-day dynasty.
“You might think you know a lot after coaching for years, but I’ve learned even more than I expected once I took on this managerial role,” Roberts noted. “And it’s fleeting—you never know when it’ll be over, which is why I cherish being the Dodgers’ manager.”
What It Means
Roberts played down the significance of hitting this milestone leading up to the game.
Yet, his players offered abundant praise. Betts emphasized Roberts’ ability to create meaningful connections with the team as his greatest strength.
“It’s not coach versus player; it’s more father versus son,” he explained. “That makes a difference. We all value it.”
Rojas echoed these sentiments, suggesting that Roberts’ contributions might not be fully appreciated until after he steps away.
“I believe that when he retires, people will recognize what an outstanding coach he has been for one of the best teams this generation has seen,” Rojas said.
Who Is Hot
Roberts admitted he isn’t comfortable with being celebrated.
But after the final out, he took it all in. First, he hugged his coaching staff and joined his players for high-fives on the field.
“Many have contributed to this effort, and this is a team accomplishment,” Roberts said. “I truly believe that and feel lucky to be surrounded by wonderful people.”
Upon returning to the dugout, he was met with thunderous applause from the crowd, prompting him to tip his hat and beam in acknowledgment.
“It felt like a home game here tonight and last night,” he reflected. “Everyone had the vibe. It was fantastic. I’m relieved it’s over, but glad we got it done.”
During a toast in the clubhouse, Rojas and Freddie Freeman addressed teammates, praising Roberts with heartfelt comments.
“I care about them more as people than I do as players,” he affirmed.
Rojas added, “He genuinely cares about everyone, and that’s evident every day.”
Who Is Not
No specific issues were mentioned.
Roberts notched his 1,000th win during a strong stretch for the Dodgers, who had won four consecutive games and 11 out of their last 14, placing them at an MLB-best record of 56-30.
The Dodgers maintained a double-digit lead in the National League West, wrapping up June with an impressive 18-9 record.
To the Next
The journey toward another 1,000 wins starts for Roberts on Wednesday. The Dodgers plan a bullpen game, beginning with right-hander J.T. Ginn, aiming to take the series against the Athletics.
