The last time Dave Roberts was at Oracle Park, Barry Bonds ripped a Dodgers hat off the manager's head and tossed it to the delight of Giants fans. The next time Roberts steps on the ballfield in San Francisco, it looks like he still will lead the Dodgers, even after their latest collapse in the playoffs.
The Los Angeles Times' Jorge Castillo reported Thursday that Roberts will indeed return next season as L.A.'s manager. Roberts was heavily criticized after the Dodgers' stunning season-ending 7-3 loss to the Nationals on Monday in the first round of the playoffs.
Even after winning an NL-leading 106 regular-season games this year, the Dodgers once again fell short in their hopes of winning their first World Series since 1989.
Roberts, 47, has a 393-256 regular-season record since become the Dodgers' manager before the 2016 season. His team has averaged 98 wins, they've been NL West champions all four years and have reached two World Series.
But Roberts' Dodgers have gone 25-22 in the playoffs and can't get over the hump.
With speculation of Roberts' job security -- despite agreeing to a new four-year extension last December -- Twitter was chirping Wednesday night with the idea of him being the next Giants manager.
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Roberts spent the final two seasons of his playing career with the Giants and certainly would get a vote of confidence from former manager Bruce Bochy. From Bochy coaching Roberts to coaching against him, the two formed a close friendship and have a lot of respect for each other.
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Hopes of Roberts switching sides in the rivalry appear to be on hold. For now, president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi will have to look past the man who used to work for him when Zaidi was the Dodgers' general manager.
The search continues in San Francisco.
