Dodgers 2021 All-Star profile: Dave Roberts

Dave Roberts for the third time in four years is managing the National League All-Star team. The initial excitement hasn’t yet worn off for him.

“It’s the one time still each year that fans can see the stars all in one place. I remember being a young kid watching the All-Star Game and being in awe,” Roberts said. “So now to be able to address the National League All-Stars, have the coaches be there to experience it, be a part of it, it’s mind-blowing.”

Roberts will be joined in Denver by the Dodgers coaching staff, plus a few All-Star additions. Rockies manager Bud Black, with whom Roberts worked in San Diego from 2011-15, is a coach on the NL staff in his home park, and former Dodgers outfielder and hitting coach Reggie Smith, a seven-time All-Star, is also on the NL staff as an honorary coach.

“Reggie is a very humble guy. He hasn’t been around the big leagues in quite some time,” Roberts said. “So I just thought it was the perfect opportunity to bring him back.”

Selection process

This one was finalized a while back. On October 18, 2020, to be exact, when the Dodgers completed their 3-1 NLCS comeback to beat Atlanta, giving Roberts and Los Angeles their third National League pennant in four seasons.

All-Star history

Roberts, who managed in the 2018 and 2019 midsummer classics as well, is the first National League manager to manage three consecutive All-Star Game, thanks partly to a pair of technicalities. The 2020 All-Star Game, which would have been at Dodger Stadium, was cancelled due to COVID-19, depriving Nationals manager Dave Martinez of a chance to manage the NL. Billy Southworth of the Cardinals managed the NL All-Stars in 1943 and 1944, and was set to manage them again in 1945 but the game was cancelled due to World War II. Rosters were selected for both teams in 1945, but the game wasn’t played.

Several managers in the American League have managed at least three straight midsummer classics, all from the Yankees and A’s — Joe McCarthy (1936-39, 1942-44), Casey Stengel (1950-54, 1956-59), Earl Weaver (1970-72), Tony LaRussa (1989-91), and Joe Torre (1999-2002).

Pre-break stats

The Dodgers enter the break at 56-35, the second-best record in MLB but also two games back in the National League West. It’s the second-best run differential and third-best record at the All-Star break break by the Dodgers under Roberts, but the first time they’ve trailed in the division at the break since 2016, when the Giants had the best record in baseball. Sounds familiar.

Dodgers history

Roberts is the third manager in franchise history to manage at least three All-Star Games, joining Walt Alston (eight games) and Tommy Lasorda (four games).