Dave Roberts named Los Angeles Dodgers manager
Monday 23 November 2015 22:38, UK
Dave Roberts has been named as the new manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The 43-year-old played for the Dodgers as an outfielder for two-and-a-half years from 2002, but he will be taking on his first managerial role and becomes the first minority manager in franchise history.
Roberts succeeds Don Mattingly, who was fired after failing to get the Dodgers to the World Series in his five years in charge and has since taken over as Miami Marlins manager.
"It's hard for me to put into words what it means to be named manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers," Roberts said in a press release. "This is truly the opportunity of a lifetime.
"The Dodgers are the ground-breaking franchise of Jackie Robinson, Roy Campanella, Sandy Koufax, Maury Wills, Fernando Valenzuela and Hideo Nomo.
"When I put on this uniform as a player, I understood the special responsibility to honour those that played before me as well as the amazing bond between the Dodgers and their fans. I feel that I have now come full circle in my career and there is plenty of unfinished business left in LA."
Roberts, who excelled as a base-stealer, retired from the playing ranks in 2009 and was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma a year later, but he was given the all-clear in June 2011 and has been on the coaching staff of the San Diego Padres since.
He filled in as manager for one game during the 2015 season after Bud Black was fired, losing his only game in the dugout.
