Despite his recent triumphs with the Los Angeles Dodgers, manager Dave Roberts is already setting his sights on a prestigious new challenge. The 53-year-old, who has masterminded the Dodgers' consecutive World Series championships over the past two seasons, is now targeting Olympic glory with an entirely different team.
Roberts' Olympic Ambition
Baseball is set to make a highly anticipated return to the Olympic programme when the Games are hosted on American soil in 2028. This edition could see major league stars participating, and Roberts has wasted no time in declaring his interest in leading the national side.
'I want to manage the Olympic team,' Roberts emphatically told the California Post. 'That's what I want to do. In LA, I want to manage that team.' The veteran skipper went on to assert his credentials as the prime candidate for the role, highlighting his deep local connections and proven track record.
A Compelling Case
'I went to school here,' said Roberts, who attended UCLA. 'I manage the Dodgers. It's a no-brainer.' His argument is bolstered by his personal history with Team USA; he represented the nation at the 1999 Pan American Games, helping the side secure a silver medal and qualification for the 2000 Olympics, where the Americans, managed by Tommy Lasorda, clinched gold.
The Olympic landscape is evolving, with the committee approving the inclusion of baseball, softball, cricket, flag football, lacrosse, and squash last year. As the Games return to the United States for the first time since Atlanta 1996, Dodger Stadium is confirmed as a key venue for the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, welcoming America's favourite pastime back to the lineup.
Historic Venue and Star Interest
Dodger Stadium is no stranger to baseball's grandest stages, having hosted numerous iconic moments. It was also the site for the 1984 Olympic baseball tournament, then a demonstration sport, where Team USA earned silver medals.
Interest in representing national teams at the LA Games is already high among MLB elites. Dodgers two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani and Philadelphia Phillies' Bryce Harper are among the marquee players who have expressed a desire to compete for their countries, setting the stage for a potentially star-studded tournament.
Roberts' combination of local expertise, managerial success, and prior international experience positions him as a formidable contender to guide Team USA in a home Olympics, aiming to add Olympic gold to his impressive collection of accolades.
