Less than a decade removed from playing in the Majors, Dave Roberts has been given his first managerial job. The Los Angeles Dodgers named the former MLB outfielder as their new manager on Monday, taking over the mantle from Don Mattingly, who was let go after yet another premature playoff exit:
Roberts, 43, last played in the Majors for the division-rival San Francisco Giants back in 2008. The 10-year vet spent two-plus seasons with the Dodgers, accumulating a .262 average with 118 stolen bases in 302 games. His best year came with the San Diego Padres back in 2006 when he hit .293 with 49 steals.
Robert has spent the past five seasons as a coach for the aforementioned Padres, first manning the first base position, and then being employed as the team's bench coach. He managed one game for San Diego this past season after former manager Bud Black was fired.
Off the field, Roberts has gone through some major health scares. He was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma back in 2010, but announced the following year that he received a clean bill of health.
On the diamond, Roberts heads to Los Angeles with a ton of expectations in what will be a pressure-packed situation out of the gate.