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“Sandy Koufax approves of Dave Roberts' job as Dodgers manager”

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts recently received the endorsement of Hall of Fame Dodgers pitcher Sandy Koufax. Roberts, like many coaches and managers across sports, came under scrutiny at various points during his tenure as Los Angeles manager.

When the Dodgers were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs each of the last two seasons, Roberts certainly took some heat, including the loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks just a year ago. At the start of the 2024 MLB postseason, Roberts was criticized for leaving struggling pitchers in games as they trailed the San Diego Padres in the National League Division Series.

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Roberts has received greater praise since then, especially after the Dodgers came back to beat the Padres in the NLDS and advance to the NL Championship Series. Roberts earned praise for his decisions with an injured rotation and bullpen, which led to the Dodgers setting the record for most consecutive scoreless innings in the postseason.

Roberts was asked last week if Koufax told him to keep his starters in games longer, but Roberts said Koufax offered him a “good job” for his postseason efforts this time.

“We had this conversation years ago, but I think now he gave me a 'good job.' He gave me a 'you're doing good,'” Roberts said.

Koufax, of course, is one of the greatest Dodgers in franchise history and one of the greatest pitchers of all time. Over his 11-year career, Koufax made seven MLB All-Star teams, won the Cy Young Award three times, led the National League in ERA five times and pitched four no-hitters.

Koufax was perhaps even more dominant in the postseason, where he won four World Series with the Dodgers and was a two-time World Series MVP.

Since taking over as manager in 2015, Roberts has led the Dodgers to one World Series victory and now four World Series appearances. Despite not having a player like Koufax leading the way, he was able to put together some great games this October, especially with his pitching staff.

Photo credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

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