Dave Roberts ‘learned to have thicker skin’ amidst criticisms and NL Manager of the Year snub

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts talks about how he has learned not to be affected by criticisms and “Fire Dave Roberts’ chants.

Dave Roberts ‘learned to have thicker skin’ amidst criticisms and NL Manager of the Year snub

Dave Roberts (Image via Marca)

Los Angeles Angels manager Dave Roberts got snubbed out of the list of NL Manager of the Year. The finalists for 2024 were Carlos Mendoza, Pat Murphy, and Mike Shildt. 

Roberts’ name was not listed as one of the finalists had many complaints about the unjustness. However, the voting process for the NL Manager of the Year was already shut out before they even won the World Series Championship. 

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2024 has been a rough ride for the Dodgers, who saw many of their players hitting the injured list. Even with a tattered roster, Dave Roberts and the Dodgers snatched the World Series Championships from one of the top MLB teams, the New York Yankees, in only five games.

Every player paid their respect for Roberts after the Series win and spoke about his influence in the locker room. Prior to their success, chants of “Fire Dave Roberts” were heard in many games in the regular season. However, Roberts said it wasn’t much of an issue as, over the years, he’s gotten “thicker skin” to deal with the noise.

I’ve learned to have thicker skin and try to appreciate the fact that there’s always going to be criticism. Maybe more jaded at times. But it is a results business, and I get that. I understand the job, the market, but I’m just happy that our guys really performed.

Dave Roberts as per Maren Angus of DodgersNation.com.

Even Dodgers owner Mark Walter commented on how “the only ones who question him, I think, is you guys.” On the other hand, Roberts credited all the success to the players, as they were the ones who didn’t feel down or let go of the fight.

Dodgers players thankful for Dave Roberts’ guidance in 2024 run

After the World Series win, first baseman Freddie Freeman commented how postseason success or failure kind of sums up the whole season for a team. Everyone will look at the end result to either write good or bad things about them. “If you have a bad outcome, really bad things are said and written,” Freeman said.

Dave Roberts and Ice Cube [Image Credit: The Sporting Tribune]
Dave Roberts and Ice Cube [Image Credit: The Sporting Tribune]

Recalling the moments when the team seemed deflated, Freeman talked about how Dave Roberts cheered and motivated them. He respected Roberts going out of his way to make sure the players were in the right mode. Sometimes, he even made expressions to hype up the players before a game.

I think there were times during the year with some of the injuries we had where it was a little bit deflating. And I think Doc did a great job of getting in front of that and pumping some enthusiasm and optimism into the group.

Freddie Freeman as per Maren Angus of DodgersNation.com.

Teoscar Hernandez also said, “Dave, I think, is one of the best managers that I have.” He is grateful to Roberts for allowing a player to go through the game his own way instead of forcing restrictions and changes. 

Mookie Betts, on the other hand, credited Dave Roberts as the real reason why the Dodgers even made it far to the World Series. He loves how Roberts “never lost confidence” in anybody and continued supporting every player from the sidelines. “I know there’s a lot of talk about Doc, but Doc is the best, man,” Betts noted.