Dodgers Formally Introduce Dave Roberts As Manager
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — Dave Roberts was formally introduced Tuesday as the 10th manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The former Dodger center fielder and UCLA standout was publicly named as manager during a news conference held at Dodger Stadium at 11 a.m.
"It's hard for me to put into words what it means to be named manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers," Roberts said. "This is truly the opportunity of a lifetime. To have an opportunity to put on a Dodger uniform again, for me it's come full circle."
Roberts was acquired by the Dodgers in December 2001. He played for the team for nearly three years.
"When I put on this uniform as a player, I understood the special responsibility to honor those that played before me as well as the amazing bond between the Dodgers and their fans," he added. "I feel that I now have come full circle in my career and there is plenty of unfinished business left in Los Angeles."
Dodger President of Baseball Operations, Andrew Friedman, described Roberts as a "baseball man" and a "people person" who will help bring a world championship back to the city of Los Angeles.
"We could not have been more impressed with him through this process," Friedman said. "His energy is infections and he has the rare ability to make a genuine connection with every person he comes across. He has developed strong leadership qualities and accumulated a breadth of baseball experience over his career as both a player and a coach."
During the conference, former Lakers star Earvin Magic Johnson assisted Roberts with his Dodgers jersey.
The 43-year-old has spent the last five years as a San Diego Padres coach.
Roberts has no previous major league managerial experience.
He is the first minority to serve as the Dodgers manager and only one of three minorities to manage in the major league.
Don Mattingly managed the Dodgers for the last five seasons. He parted ways with the team at the end of this season and has been hired as manager of the Miami Marlins.
Roberts' hiring was announced last week.
(©2015 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Wire services contributed to this report.)
