The Los Angeles Dodgers made history in 2025, becoming the first team in 25 years to win back-to-back World Series titles. With a roster packed with All-Stars and future Hall of Famers, it’s easy to point to talent as the reason for their dominance. But ask around the league, and you’ll hear a different name come up again and again: Dave Roberts.
Roberts, who’s been at the helm of the Dodgers for nearly a decade, continues to earn the respect of his peers-not just for the wins, but for how he manages one of baseball’s most high-profile clubs with a steady hand and a deep understanding of the game’s nuances.
In a recent poll conducted among five current MLB managers, three named Roberts as the best manager in the game today. That kind of recognition doesn’t come lightly, especially in a league where managerial decisions are constantly under the microscope.
Texas Rangers manager Skip Schumaker, a former Dodger himself, offered a thoughtful take. “Before the World Series happened, I would say [Tigers manager AJ] Hinch,” Schumaker said.
“I would probably stick with AJ. But what Doc [Roberts] did this postseason was super impressive.
So I would give it a 1A and 1B.”
Schumaker acknowledged the obvious-yes, Roberts has had elite talent at his disposal-but emphasized that it’s what Roberts does with that talent that sets him apart. “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, with how he navigated that Padres series - I give him a whole ton of respect.”
That’s a key point. Managing a loaded roster isn’t as easy as it looks.
Balancing egos, expectations, and the relentless pressure to win takes more than just writing names on a lineup card. Roberts has proven time and again that he’s more than capable of handling the spotlight-and thriving in it.
Clayton McCullough, now managing the Marlins after four seasons as the Dodgers’ first base coach, echoed that sentiment. “I think Dave, his ability to relate with any type of people,” McCullough said.
“He manages such a high-profile group year in and year out, and the expectations that come and how steady Dave is through any point in the season. Dave never wavers.”
That calm, composed leadership style has become a trademark of Roberts’ tenure. McCullough spoke to the culture Roberts has built-a clubhouse where urgency is felt, but panic never sets in.
“There’s always a sense of urgency from those that are working for him. We all know what’s at stake...
I think Dave just has like a real steady hand and understands how to get through a season and then postseason, certainly, he’s masterful with the bullpen moves.”
And when it comes to October, Roberts has shown he knows how to pull the right strings-especially with his bullpen, which has often been a difference-maker in tight postseason games.
Even managers who haven’t worn Dodger blue are taking notice. Craig Stammen, the newly-appointed skipper of the Padres and a longtime NL West veteran, didn’t hesitate when asked who tops his list.
“You’ve got to go with the World Series champions,” Stammen said. “Dave Roberts has proved that 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.”
Stammen also gave a nod to Terry Francona, a managerial legend in his own right, but the message was clear: Roberts has earned his place among the elite.
What’s striking about the praise from these managers isn’t just the respect for Roberts’ results-it’s the appreciation for how he gets there. His ability to connect with players, manage expectations, and make tactical decisions under pressure has made him a model of consistency in a sport where even the best can quickly fall out of favor.
As the Dodgers gear up for another run in 2026, Roberts will once again be tasked with guiding a loaded roster through the grind of a 162-game season and into the postseason gauntlet. If the past two years are any indication, he’s more than ready for the challenge.
And if he pulls off a third straight title? Well, we might be talking about Dave Roberts not just as the best manager in the game today-but as one of the best to ever do it.