Each manager across MLB has someone that influenced his managerial career.
Whether that be a legendary manager of the past or a manager that they once played, everyone got inspiration from somewhere. For Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, that influence was the first manager to give him a chance on a major league coaching staff and it may be a bit of a surprising answer.
“Buddy Black,” Roberts told Bob Costas, in an MLB Network interview scheduled to debut Sunday, when asked who’s had the biggest influence on him as a manager. “He really taught me about leading as far as a team and culture. He told me if I ever wanted to manage then I better learn to love pitchers.”
Newsweek was given access to the interview ahead of its airing, which is scheduled for 9 p.m. ET Sunday on MLB Network.
Black was a longtime manager of both the San Diego Padres and Colorado Rockies. He was with San Diego from 2007-2015 before departing for Colorado in 2016. He remained with the Rockies until mid-May of this season when he was fired.
Roberts went on further to credit Black for teaching him the ins and outs of pitching and how to manage a game at the highest level.
“He took me under his wing and taught me the nuances of pitching, watching bullpens, understanding lineup construction all of that stuff,” Roberts told Costas. “So I think Buddy is definitely my biggest influence.”
Black’s teaching methods have sure seemed to pay off as Roberts has won two World Series as the manager of the Dodgers. Roberts and Costas discussed that and so much more in an interview set to air Sunday at 9 p.m. ET on MLB Network.