July 22nd, 2021 at 8:00 am 
by Ron Cervenka Make no mistake about it, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts is a nice guy – a real nice guy.
But also make no mistake about it, Dave Roberts is oftentimes a nice guy when he needs to be a … well … not-so-nice guy.
On Wednesday night, Dave Roberts was finally a … well … not-so-nice guy – and it was great! Not great that he was immediately ejected by home plate umpire Andy Fletcher, but great that he finally stood up for one of his players; that of Dodgers left-hander Víctor González, who was charged with a ball which PitchTracker showed was, in fact, a strike, albeit at the very bottom of the strike zone. It was ball four with the bases loaded to give the San Francisco Giants their third run of the inning (all charged to Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen) and fourth of the night in the eventual 4-2 Dodgers loss.
(Video capture courtesy of SportsNet LA)
Roberts knew the second he stepped out of the dugout that he was going to be ejected … and he was.
“The low strike was called all night, both ways. In a big spot like that, it was a run,” Roberts said postgame. “I just felt that the consistency that everyone’s trying for and that we hope for, I just felt it just wasn’t consistent with the night.”
It is often said that you have to choose your battles, and it is impossible to dispute that Roberts absolutely had to choose this one.
You can’t argue that either.
Play Ball!
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Absolutely LONG overdue! Roberts must become more assertive on the field, protecting pitchers and hitters. If he can’t (or won’t) find a manager who will and move Roberts into the front office in a PR role.