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LOS ANGELES – Dave Roberts has had help enforcing Dodgers clubhouse standards. When a player fails to hustle, Mookie Betts or Miguel Rojas has been willing to step in and handle the conversation.
During an appearance on ESPN’s Baseball Tonight with Buster Olney podcast, Roberts explained how that support allows accountability to come from teammates who share the field.
“Whether it’s a guy not hustling and Mookie Betts saying, ‘Hey, you want me to handle this?’ Or Miguel Rojas saying, ‘You want me to handle this?’” Roberts said.
Roberts did not identify a player involved in those conversations or describe a specific incident involving Betts or Rojas. He used them as examples of veterans willing to address effort themselves.
That responsibility has passed through different Dodgers clubhouses. Roberts credited Chase Utley and Justin Turner with helping him manage complaints and keep players focused on the team.
How veterans uphold Dodgers clubhouse standards
Roberts said Utley arrived at a point in his career when teammates respected him enough to vent to him. Utley could hear those concerns and help settle them before Roberts had another issue to address.
“Chase for me was a person that didn’t tolerate people complaining,” Roberts said.
Justin Turner filled a similar role for his manager. Roberts said negative energy makes the job harder because it leaves a manager constantly trying to put out a fire. He said he has been fortunate with his own players.
Betts previously described Rojas as the Dodgers’ vocal leader who held everyone accountable. Rojas announced his retirement after the season, giving Roberts another veteran leadership role to account for.
Andrew Friedman has said he hopes Rojas will continue to impact the organization. Friedman did not announce a specific role for Rojas.
Roberts recalls the reaction to benching Cody Bellinger
Roberts also recalled removing Cody Bellinger from a game after the young outfielder failed to hustle. In his telling, Bellinger hit a ball into the right-center gap in San Francisco and settled for a stand-up double. Roberts said it had happened more than once.
After his postgame media session, Roberts was told that people on social media were criticizing the decision to take Bellinger out.
“It’s funny how the world wants you to hold players accountable, but when you hold them accountable, then they’re saying you’re too hard on the player,” Roberts said.
Roberts said players still need structure and consequences. He praised the way Milwaukee manager Pat Murphy handles accountability, while pointing to the help he receives from his own clubhouse.
“Our players hold each other to that standard, which is the best way to do it,” Roberts said.
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