The Los Angeles Dodgers didn’t just win the World Series in 2025 — they rewrote modern baseball history. By becoming the first team in a quarter century to repeat as champions, the Dodgers cemented their status as a dynasty built on star power, depth, and relentless expectations. With a roster overflowing with All-Stars and future Hall of Famers, the narrative seemed obvious: talent won titles. But inside clubhouses across Major League Baseball, a very different conversation was unfolding — one that pointed not to the names on the back of the jerseys, but to the man standing on the top step of the dugout.
That man is Dave Roberts.
Behind the headlines celebrating MVPs and dominant rotations, Roberts quietly orchestrated another championship run, navigating pressure, personalities, and postseason chaos with a steadiness that rivals are now openly admiring. According to an ESPN poll of five current MLB managers, three named Roberts the best manager in baseball — praise that carries far more weight when it comes from those trying to beat him.
In a league where rival managers rarely offer unfiltered admiration, the responses were strikingly candid.
Texas Rangers manager Skip Schumaker didn’t hesitate to acknowledge how Roberts changed his perspective during the Dodgers’ latest postseason run.
“Before the World Series happened, I would say AJ Hinch,” Schumaker admitted. “But what Doc did this postseason was super impressive. Everybody talks about the rosters that Doc has had — and yes, he has unbelievable talent. But what he did this postseason, and honestly the previous one too, especially how he navigated that Padres series, I give him a whole ton of respect.”
That comment cuts straight to the heart of the criticism Roberts has faced for years. The idea that anyone could win with that roster. That managing the Dodgers is easy.
Schumaker — a former Dodger himself — made it clear: it’s not.
If talent alone guaranteed championships, baseball history would look very different. What Roberts has done consistently over the past decade is manage egos, expectations, and relentless pressure in one of the most unforgiving markets in sports.
Miami Marlins manager Clayton McCullough, another former Dodgers staff member, highlighted what many fans never see.
“Dave’s ability to relate with any type of people is special,” McCullough said. “He manages such a high-profile group year in and year out. The expectations that come with that — and how steady Dave is through any point in the season — he never wavers.”
That steadiness, according to McCullough, is contagious.
“There’s always a sense of urgency,” he added. “Everyone knows what’s at stake. Dave understands how to get through a season and then a postseason. He’s masterful with the bullpen moves.”
In October, those decisions define legacies.
Roberts’ postseason résumé has quietly transformed over the last two years. Once scrutinized for every pitching change, he’s now being praised for outmaneuvering opponents when the margins are razor-thin. The Dodgers’ ability to survive high-leverage moments — particularly against divisional rivals — has become a defining trait of this championship run.
Even Padres manager Craig Stammen, whose career unfolded largely in the NL West, couldn’t ignore the results.
“You’ve got to go with the World Series champions,” Stammen said. “Dave Roberts has proved he can take a star-studded team and win two World Series in a row. That’s pretty impressive. You can do that, you’ve got my vote.”
When respect crosses rivalry lines, it says everything.
Roberts’ acclaim isn’t about one season. It’s about consistency. Year after year, he’s led the Dodgers to winning records, deep playoff runs, and now back-to-back championships in an era defined by parity and expanded playoffs.
What separates him now is perception.
For the first time, the conversation around Dave Roberts has shifted from “anyone could do this” to “few actually could.” Managing a superteam isn’t about stacking wins in June — it’s about surviving October without blinking.
And Roberts hasn’t blinked.
With history already secured, the pressure somehow grows. The Dodgers are now chasing something even rarer — a third straight World Series title. Expectations won’t ease. Scrutiny won’t soften. Every decision Roberts makes will be magnified again.
But if the voices from opposing dugouts are any indication, baseball has finally caught up to what the Dodgers have known for years.
Dave Roberts isn’t just steering a loaded roster. He’s shaping a modern dynasty.
And as the next season approaches, one question hangs over the league: can the man rival managers now call the best do something no one expects — again?
Stay tuned. This story is far from over.
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