Roberts a runner-up for NL Manager of the Year
Juan Toribio
@juanctoribioLOS ANGELES -- Dodgers skipper Dave Roberts finished second behind the Mets’ Buck Showalter in the National League Manager of the Year Award voting revealed on Tuesday.
Roberts, who was trying to join Tommy Lasorda as the only Dodgers managers with two Manager of the Year Awards, tied Showalter for the most first-place votes with eight. The difference, however, came in second-place votes, as Roberts received just four while Showalter got 10.
There were 30 ballots cast by Baseball Writers' Association members, with two writers from each NL city listing their top three. Showalter appeared on 25 ballots, while Roberts was left off 13 ballots. With a first-place vote worth five points, a second-place vote worth three points and a third-place vote worth one point, Roberts finished with 57 total points, 20 behind Showalter and two ahead of the Braves' Brian Snitker.
Roberts has finished in the top five in each of his seven seasons managing the Dodgers. He won the award in 2016 and now has two second-place finishes ('17, '22).
On the MLB Network award show, Roberts said he believes 2022 was his best work as a manager since being hired before the ‘16 season. He alluded to his interactions with struggling stars Max Muncy, Justin Turner and Cody Bellinger. Roberts stuck with the trio during tough times. Turner and Muncy ended up rewarding the Dodgers and Roberts with strong second halves.
Roberts also said he has learned how to use his gut more frequently and not just rely on analytics.
The Dodgers won a franchise-record 111 games, but perhaps Roberts’ case took a hit because of their preseason expectations. Most projected the Dodgers to be one of the best teams in the Majors, and they were certainly that in ‘22. Only two other teams in NL history won more games than the '22 Dodgers.
It wasn’t always easy for Los Angeles, as the club had to navigate through a series of injuries, particularly to the pitching staff. Opening Day starter Walker Buehler missed the last four months of the season after undergoing Tommy John surgery. Clayton Kershaw also missed two months with back injuries, and Dustin May and Tony Gonsolin each had significant stints on the injured list.