Multiple sources are reporting that 43-year-old former Dodger Dave Roberts will become the 32nd manager in the 133-year history of the Dodgers franchise.

LA Times Dodgers beat reporter Dylan Hernandez was first to break the story, which has since been confirmed by multiple sources – none from the Dodgers. However, an official announcement on Roberts’ appointment is expected on Monday morning.

Dave Roberts will become the 32nd manager in Dodgers franchise history.
(Photo credit – Rick Stewart)

The Naha, Okinawa native spent ten seasons in the major leagues including two and a half with the Dodgers (2002-2004), during which time he was a huge fan-favorite. He spent the balance of the 2004 season with the World Champion Boston Red Sox. In fact, it was his crucial bottom of the ninth inning stolen base in Game-4 of the ALCS against the New York Yankees that helped turn a three games to none deficit into an eventual ALCS pennant. The Red Sox went on to sweep the heavily-favored St. Louis Cardinals to win their first Worlds Series title sine 1918 – the year that they sold Babe Ruth to the Yankees to began the fabled “Curse of the Bambino.”

Roberts then spent two seasons with the San Diego Padres and retired from the game in 2010 after spending his final two seasons with the San Francisco Giants. He then served three seasons as the Padres first base coach and as former Padres manager Bud Black’s bench coach in 2014 and 2015.

Although Roberts was among the late arrivals into the Dodgers managerial race, he reportedly aced his initial interview with the Dodgers brass. The field was then narrowed down to just he and current Dodgers Director of Player Development Gabe Kapler, both of whom were given a second interview late last week.

In a reader’s poll conducted here on ThinkBlueLA that included Roberts, Kapler and Black (before the latter was eliminated as a candidate), readers selected Roberts as their first choice by an overwhelming margin (53% for Roberts, 30% for Black and 17% for Kapler). And while there was certainly nothing scientific about this poll, it clearly showed who the fans wanted to guide the Dodgers moving forward.

We will provide more details on the naming of Roberts as the Dodgers new manager as they become available.