As Dave Roberts has maneuvered through his time as manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers, there have been fans and others who have doubted his style. Roberts has been the focal point of criticism and harsh words at times.

Roberts knows this. He's even gone through his own period of doubts, especially when the Dodgers might have made the MLB postseason without advancing to the World Series.

He's a former MLB player himself, having a big role in helping the Boston Red Sox end their own World Series drought as a franchise back in 2004.

When Roberts has been able to push the Dodgers to two straight World Series championships in the 2024 and 2025 seasons, though, those doubts have been washed away for the most part.

Criticism has been heaped in his direction around bullpen usage and whether Roberts had the most effective outfield plan in place. The Dodgers reached the postseason in 2022 and 2023, only to get dispatched. 

"It was like, 'What am I doing this for?'" Roberts said in an interview with longtime Dodgers beat reporter Jack Harris of The California Post recently.

"I love the question, ‘What are you chasing?’" Roberts said. "And I was there at home, [after] you lose, and you’re like, ‘What am I chasing?’ Am I chasing a championship? We already won one. Is that going to bring me joy and fulfillment? I didn’t have an answer."

Roberts told Harris that there were times when the fans' continual criticisms got to him. Now, though, he sees all of it in a different light.

"There’s times that I was resentful," Roberts said. Yet now, he's grateful that the Dodgers fans "show up to support us every night."

"I’d rather have fans that are passionate and care, even at the cost of me getting booed at home in a World Series," Roberts told Harris, jokingly. "Which, I think I might hold the record with that."

With two straight World Series titles in hand, Roberts is able to just adjust his attitude and mindset about leading one of baseball's most storied franchises.

"Now, I just feel I’m chasing happiness, joy and success –– whatever that means," Roberts said. "It’s certainly championships. But there’s a lot of other parts for me that I feel confident that I’m achieving."

Roberts enters into spring training soon, looking to help outfielder Kyle Tucker and relief ace Edwin Díaz feel right at home with their new team. 

Don't be surprised, though, if Roberts takes some time to smile and feel an immense sense of gratitude for where he finds himself at this time.

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