When the National League Manager of the Year results were revealed on Tuesday night, most fans expected to see Dave Roberts’ name somewhere on the list. Instead, there was silence — a silence louder than any headline.
The Los Angeles Dodgers’ skipper, who guided his team to yet another 100-win season despite a roster riddled with injuries and constant pitching turmoil, received zero votes. Not a first-place vote. Not a third. Nothing.
It’s a stunning snub for one of the most consistent managers of this generation. Since taking over in 2016, Roberts has won more than 63 percent of his games, captured six division titles, and delivered the 2020 World Series championship. Yet on a night meant to honor leadership, he was completely invisible.
Across the baseball world, disbelief spread quickly. “How does a 100-win team’s manager not even get a mention?” one analyst tweeted. Even rival fans, often quick to criticize the Dodgers’ powerhouse, admitted the omission felt off.
Roberts himself, as usual, stayed composed. When asked about the result, he smiled faintly. “Awards are nice,” he said, “but I know what this clubhouse thinks of me. That’s what matters.”
Still, beneath the calm surface, the narrative is hard to ignore. The Dodgers were expected to dominate — and they did — but voters often reward overachievers, not favorites. Torey Lovullo’s Diamondbacks and Craig Counsell’s Brewers both earned nods for exceeding expectations, while Roberts was punished for meeting his own.
It’s an old pattern in baseball’s culture of recognition: excellence that becomes routine stops being celebrated. In many ways, Roberts has become a victim of his own consistency. The Dodgers’ standard is so high that anything less than a championship is considered failure — and anything short of surprise is overlooked.
Inside Dodger Stadium, players expressed their support. “He’s the heartbeat of this team,” said Mookie Betts. “He keeps us together when things get messy. We don’t win 100 without him.”
Fans on social media echoed the sentiment. “Roberts doesn’t need a plaque,” one wrote, “he’s got a dynasty.” But others pointed out that such disregard hints at a deeper bias — the fatigue that comes with dominance. “It’s like voters are bored of greatness,” another user said.
For Roberts, the sting may linger, but his focus likely won’t change. In many ways, this slight could fuel what’s next. The Dodgers’ front office is preparing for a massive offseason — rumors swirl around Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto — and Roberts remains at the center of it all, unshaken.
Awards are temporary. Legacy lasts longer.
And if baseball teaches anything, it’s that the game always finds a way to remember those who quietly keep winning.
So while Dave Roberts walks away empty-handed, he walks with something bigger: the respect of his players, the loyalty of his clubhouse, and the quiet knowledge that even without a single vote, his impact speaks louder than any trophy.
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