SAN DIEGO — Dave Roberts’ path to managing the Los Angeles Dodgers was unexpected, shaped more by circumstance and personal preference than by ambition. Initially not intent on managing, Roberts reached out to Jed Hoyer, the newly appointed general manager of the San Diego Padres, offering his assistance. This led to a role as a special assistant in the Padres’ front office. When Bud Black, the Padres’ manager at the time, invited Roberts to join as the first base coach, and later promoted him to bench coach, Roberts found himself gradually drawn back onto the field.

In a recent interview, Roberts emphasized his preference for being directly involved with the team. “I like to be in the clubhouse,” he said. “I like to be boots on the ground more... Once I got on the field, I was like, ‘Yeah, this is what feels right for me.’”

Roberts’ first managerial experience came in 2015 under unusual conditions. Following the dismissal of Black by A.J. Preller—San Diego’s third general manager within five years—Roberts served as interim manager for a single game before Pat Murphy was promoted from Triple-A. It was not until the following year that Roberts recorded his first managerial win, this time with the Dodgers, after being hired to replace Don Mattingly.

Since then, Roberts has become a fixture in Los Angeles, leading the Dodgers through multiple competitive seasons. His trajectory reflects a transition from front office and broadcast roles back to on-field leadership, guided by a clear desire to engage directly with players in the clubhouse environment.

Roberts’ experience underscores the often unpredictable nature of career paths in professional baseball, where opportunity, timing, and personal inclination intersect. As he has navigated the challenges of the managerial role, Roberts has remained committed to hands-on involvement with his team, a factor he credits with the satisfaction he finds in his current position.