Dave Roberts’ 2003 Marlins Reference Leaves Derek Jeter Fuming

Ahead of the 2025 NLCS, Dave Roberts poked fun at Derek Jeter by referring to the 2003 Marlins' team that beat the New York Yankees in the World Series.

Dave Roberts’ 2003 Marlins Reference Leaves Derek Jeter Fuming

Dave Roberts and Derek Jeter (Image via CBS Sports/MLB)

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Ahead of the National League Championship Series (NLCS) Game 1, Dave Roberts poked some fun at Derek Jeter. The Los Angeles Dodgers manager threw in a 2003 Miami Marlins (then Florida Marlins) reference, which left the former New York Yankees star fuming.

After making light work of the Philadelphia Phillies in the NLDS, the Dodgers got paired up with the Milwaukee Brewers for the 2025 NLCS. Ahead of this 2018 NLCS rematch, there had been plenty of mind games between Roberts and the Brewers’ skipper Pat Murphy.

The Brewers finished the regular season with the best record in the league (97-65). They also had the number of the Dodgers and swept them in both series.

Before the game on Monday, Roberts would discuss the game plan of their opposition. In doing so, he would compare it with the 2003 Marlins, who defeated Jeter and the Yankees in the World Series to claim their 2nd championship.

I don’t want to bring up old sores to Derek, which I sort of do because the guy’s got, you know, rings to cover up his whole hands. It’s like what the Marlins did to the Yankees back then, right? In the World Series. The bunting and the stealing of the bases, and so this team, you know, feasts on momentum and havoc and little ball and trying to disrupt timing.

Dave Roberts said on Fox Sports

Jeter, who was the captain of the Yankees, did not seem too fond of reliving those memories. He would clap back at Roberts and expressed that he did not “appreciate” that.

First of all, I don’t appreciate that…this is the last time I’m talking to you in October. Good luck.

Derek Jeter responded

The Yankees were considered the favorites against the Marlins in the 2003 World Series. Despite outscoring them 21-17 in the series, the Yankees lost the Fall Classic 4-2. The Marlins did not return to the postseason until 2020 following this huge win.

Dave Roberts’ bold move to remove Blake Snell following a dominant performance in Game 1 almost cost the Dodgers

For Game 1, Dave Roberts gave the ball to Blake Snell. The southpaw delivered and had a dominating performance in the NLCS opener. However, Roberts’ decision to remove the pitcher while he was on top of his game almost cost the Dodgers.

Dodgers' Dave Roberts
Dave Roberts (Image via Imago)

Snell was dominant in his start and gave up just 1 hit in 8 scoreless innings. In 103 pitches, the 2-time Cy Young Award winner picked up 10 strikeouts.

With his team leading 2-0 after 8 innings, Roberts would take off the pitch from Snell’s hands and relieve him. The Dodgers skipper would turn his attention towards Roki Sasaki.

The young Japanese pitcher has worked primarily as a relief pitcher since returning from his injury. After recording the first out, he got into trouble.

Sasaki gave up a run through a double and a sacrifice fly, which made it a 2-1 game with 2 outs. After walking Christian Yelich and leaving two runners on base, he was taken off and replaced by veteran Blake Treinen.

The 37-year-old would walk William Contreras to load up the bases. On a 1-2 count, he almost hit Brice Turang. Had it been a hit by pitch, the Brewers would have tied the game at 2-2. On the next pitch, the hitter struck out swinging, leaving his team stranded with bases loaded.

The Dodgers’ bullpen has been a bit shaky in recent months. Roberts’ decision to pull Snell almost costed them the game.

Following the game, Roberts claimed that it was a “50-50” decision to remove Snell, considering other factors.

The pitcher, meanwhile, claimed that he could have gone through the 9th inning and tried to throw a complete game.

Roberts has named Yoshinobu Yamamoto as the Game 2 starter on Tuesday. The 53-year-old is yet to reveal his decision regarding Tyler Glasnow and Shohei Ohtani. The two of them are expected to throw in this series. However, Roberts has not shown his hand yet and is keeping his cards close to his chest.

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