Dodgers' World Series champion manager Dave Roberts honored with custom UCLA jersey at Bruins vs USC Trojans football game

Even before his 2024 World Series win, Dodgers skipper Dave Roberts was tremendously popular in LA, for a variety of good reasons. Recently, one of the city's most renowned institutions showed their appreciation for the manager's work.

On Saturday, Roberts was invited onto the playing field at the Rose Bowl, home of the UCLA Bruins football team. Prior to the commencement of the game, Roberts was presented with a UCLA Bruins football jersey by head coach DeShaun Foster.

"World Series champion and lifelong Bruin Dave Roberts is in the building. #GoBruins" - UCLA Athletics

The Bruins would go on to lose to USC by a score of 19-13. However, it is clear from the post that getting to meet with Dave Roberts was a consolation prize for DeShaun Foster.

Roberts was a varsity baseball player at UCLA from 1991 until 1995 when he began playing in the Detroit Tigers organization. A walk-on outfielder, Roberts hit .331 and stole 36 bases as a sophomore. When he graduated with his Bachelor of Arts Degree, Dave Roberts was the all-time UCLA stolen base leader.

An MLB player from 1999 until 2008, Roberts played his final season with the San Francisco Giants before pivoting to coaching. Since taking the reigns of the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2016, Roberts has amassed a record of 851-506, alongside two World Series championships.

"World Series Champion Dave Roberts was honored at the latest UCLA football game." - NBC Sports

Since his Dodgers defeated the New York Yankees to win the World Series on October 30, Roberts has become a celebrity. In addition to the welcome at the Rose Bowl, Roberts has made the rounds with several media appearances and even fielded a congratulatory phone call from Democratic candidate Kamala Harris ahead of the US election earlier this month.

Dave Roberts earns highest praise from colleagues

In addition to being a highly effective manager, all indicators point to Roberts being a very good person as well. When Dodgers first base coach Clayton McCullough was recruited this week to be the next manager of the Marlins, McCullough had nothing but praise for his former boss:

“Dave was such a phenomenal person, the one thing I learned from Dave is the infectious amount of energy he had each and every day. Dave came into the clubhouse, was around the coaches, he just had a way of making you feel like you’re the only one there."

Already an LA icon, the continuation of Roberts' managerial tact will ensure that the Dodgers remain competitive for a long time.