Dave Roberts was not nominated for manager of the year despite winning the World Series. This came as a surprise to many; the common belief is that he won the World Series because of the star-studded Dodgers squad. But does that overshadow Roberts’ incredible management? It’s a baseball paradox that’s still sparking debate. But Mookie Betts has hopefully put a stop to this ongoing debate – saying that it was all because of Roberts’ management.

On the surface, it seems like an oversight—or worse, a snub. The Dodgers, after all, had one of the most star-studded rosters in recent memory, with the likes of Mookie Betts, Cody Bellinger, Clayton Kershaw, Freddie Freeman, and Shohei Ohtani. Betts, one of the Dodgers’ biggest stars, recently made a bold statement that completely flips this narrative. In an interview, Betts said it wasn’t just the roster that got the Dodgers their World Series victory in 2020—it was Dave Roberts’ management that played a huge role in their success.

According to Dodgers Nation, Betts said “To be honest, Dave is the real reason why we’re here,” Mookie Betts said after the World Series, via ESPN’s Alden Gonzalez. “I know there’s a lot of talk about Doc, but Doc is the best, man. Doc loves each and every person in here, Doc has confidence in each and every person in here, Doc never lost confidence in anybody in here. And no matter what we went through, he was always positive.”

After the Los Angeles Dodgers’ rocky start to the 2024 postseason, including 2-1 in the NLDS and a loss in Game 2, manager Dave Roberts was once again facing criticism. However, Roberts and the Dodgers rebounded, winning Games 4 and 5 to complete the comeback. Despite injuries to key players like Freddie Freeman and Miguel Rojas, Roberts’ leadership and strategic decisions propelled the team to their eighth World Series title. They defeated the New York Mets in the NLCS and the Yankees in the Fall Classic. Following the championship, several players credited Roberts for his pivotal role in their success. So what were the things he did right?

What helped Dave Roberts with his team management?

One of Roberts’ most notable strengths is his ability to manage a bullpen in the postseason. His decisions—like pulling pitchers at the right time, knowing when to lean on a closer, and making the right matchups—have been pivotal. The Dodgers’ bullpen thrived in the 2024 playoffs, and much of that was thanks to Roberts’ strategic decisions.

In the World Series, Dave Roberts made tough strategic moves, such as starting Clayton Kershaw on short rest in Game 5, a decision that paid off big-time and silenced critics. It wasn’t just the roster’s talent, it was Roberts’ ability to use his stars wisely that led to the victory. With the spotlight constantly on the Dodgers, Roberts handled the pressure from the media and fans. There’s a unique skill in keeping the team focused on the task at hand when the outside world is constantly dissecting every decision.

So why the snub for ‘Manager of the Year’? It’s a head-scratcher, but there could be multiple reasons – the Dodgers were so packed that people believed Roberts was simply along for the ride. Or maybe it’s the fact that he’d already been in the leadership position of multiple playoff teams, and the expectation was that the Dodgers should win it all. But that doesn’t mean Dave Roberts didn’t do an exceptional job, glad that Mookie Betts cleared it all. What’s your take on Robert’s impact on the team’s World Aseries win? Share below.