DOUBL3 COVERAGE PODCAST — EPISODE 11

Title: Dave Roberts Explains Why Shohei Ohtani Is The GOAT & Breaks Down The Dodgers’ World Series Run
Date: January 2, 2026
Hosts: Mystic Zach & N3on (mostly Mystic Zach here)
Guest: Dave Roberts (LA Dodgers Manager)

Episode Overview

This episode features an in-depth conversation with Dave Roberts, manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers. Roberts discusses why Shohei Ohtani is the greatest player of all time, provides a behind-the-scenes look at the Dodgers’ back-to-back World Series victories, opens up about managing superstar personalities, touches on his own playing and managerial journey, and shares candid insights about leadership, analytics, and personal philosophies. The episode also dives into NFL and college football talk, explores Roberts’ passion for wine, golf, and life beyond baseball, and finishes with lighter stories and personal anecdotes.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Shohei Ohtani: Why He’s The GOAT (00:00–06:16; 35:51–36:27)

• Unmatched Talent, Dual Impact:
  • Dave Roberts repeatedly refers to Ohtani as a "GOAT," underscoring the singularity of his two-way dominance, both pitching and hitting.
    • "Shohei’s a goat. I’ll tell you this, Barry Bonds is the best hitter I’ve ever seen. But as far as best player, he is by far the goat. There’s just no one close." (Dave Roberts, 00:01)
  • Cites Ohtani’s ability to throw 100 mph, hit 50 home runs, and steal 50 bases—while managing the global pressure of being “the face of baseball.”
    • “A guy that can do what he does and then kind of take on the world, the burden of being the face of baseball is pretty special. So throwing 100 miles an hour, hitting 50 homers, stealing 50 bases.” (Dave Roberts, 01:20)
• The Mental Load:
  • Describes Ohtani as “two people in one,” citing Game 7 of the World Series where Ohtani had to mentally switch from pitching to hitting after early struggles.
    • “You start a game, you don’t pitch well, you’re out mentally, but he has to have the capacity to still post as a hitter. … No one’s done that.” (Dave Roberts, 03:33)
  • Compares his dual-role to stars from other sports (Mahomes as a lockdown cornerback).
• Off-the-Field Greatness:
  • Shares a little-known, generous act: Ohtani quietly paid for a teammate’s mother’s cancer treatment.
    • “[He] on the down low, donate[d] a ton of money for the care because they weren’t getting the care…” (Dave Roberts, 05:13)

Dodger Clubhouse: Managing Superstars (01:08–02:43; 06:18–10:28)

• Embarrassment of Riches:
  • Roberts lists his star-studded roster: Ohtani, Mookie Betts (“won MVPs in baseball, been All Star for nine years, won four rings…”), Freddie Freeman (“no better clutch player”), Will Smith (“our catcher… just a stud”), and Clayton Kershaw (“the goat… 18 years with the same team”).
• Leadership & Chemistry:
  • Addresses the challenge of blending big personalities and keeping egos in check amid championship-or-bust expectations.
    • “The trick is every player has got to feel that they’re valued. … But to win championships, you got to figure out how to make those individual great pieces work together for the best interest of the group, the team I managed, the Los Angeles Dodgers.” (Dave Roberts, 06:40)
  • Emphasizes humility and work ethic, crediting Betts, Freeman, and Ohtani for setting the tone despite stardom.

Building a Winner: Spending, Salary Caps, and Parity (10:28–12:48)

• The Criticism of Spending:
  • Responds to the “billion-dollar payroll” critique, arguing for more competition league-wide:
    • “I think the fans deserve [teams spending]. … We drew 4 million fans last year, which is more than any sports franchise in the world.” (Dave Roberts, 11:46)
• Views on League Parity & Payrolls:
  • Advocates for a salary minimum (not just a cap) so teams like the Marlins can’t “tank” by under-spending, supporting moves that keep baseball competitive.

Dave Roberts’ Journey: Player, Survivor, Manager (12:48–19:20)

• Not Focused on Managing as a Player
  • As a player, never thought about future managing. Emphasizes underdog story—$1,000 signing bonus, walk-on at UCLA, becoming a key Red Sox postseason hero in 2004.
• A Defining Moment:
  • Stealing the big base vs. the Yankees, sparking the Red Sox’s historic comeback.
    • “I was called safe. We ended up winning eight straight games in a row. … And I think the Red Sox nation just felt that Dave Roberts stolen base was the turning point of that postseason.” (Dave Roberts, 13:01)
• Coaching Career & Adversity:
  • Post-retirement, moved into broadcasting and front office before being diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma (2010).
    • “That was, like, scary for me… then I ended up having chemotherapy, radiation, and beat cancer. So I’m a cancer survivor.” (Dave Roberts, 15:39)
  • Recovery led to opportunity–began MLB coaching career, emphasizing the lessons of perseverance.

Analytics vs. Gut Instinct: The Manager’s Balancing Act (19:20–23:20)

• On Data & Decision-Making:
  • “Analytics, data, information, facts—all five of those words is the same thing. … I think it’s a good baseline to have, but… when you make a decision, you’re betting on people.” (Dave Roberts, 19:34)
  • Says big-picture analytics are useful over large samples, but single-game/playoff moments are about gut and experience.
• Recent Example:
  • Cites postseason decision to start Miguel Rojas in a critical game over analytical recommendation:
    • “Nothing in analytics would say that I would bet [on him]… but I said I’m gonna bet on this guy. He made a couple big defensive plays and he hit the big tying home run.” (Dave Roberts, 21:02)
• Evolving as a Manager:
  • Earlier, leaned more on analytics; as he gained trust and a “longer leash,” felt freer to rely on experience and gut.

Leadership Comparison: Greats Across Sports (23:20–24:50)

• Building Long-Term Trust:
  • Draws parallels to Bill Belichick and Nick Saban, noting that elite coaches/leaders need time and success to earn autonomy.
  • Saban’s bold decision to sub into Tua in a title game was only possible because of that status.

NFL & Football Talk (24:50–30:15)

• Game Picks & Analysis:
  • Discusses 49ers vs Seahawks (“I like the Niners at home” — Dave Roberts, 25:23).
  • Debates key personnel, defensive matchups, and the impact of injuries and trades.
• Ravens vs Steelers:
  • Dave is a Steelers fan. “I got Coach Tomlin, man. … He is unbelievable. … Mike Tomlin hasn’t forgot how to coach.” (Dave Roberts, 28:44)
• On Coaching Longevity:
  • Asserts that experience makes coaches better into their 60s. “Coach Tomlin, Coach Reed, they’re still. Still great coaches.” (Dave Roberts, 30:08)

Wine, Golf, and Life Off the Field (30:41–35:51)

• Wine Business:
  • Shares story of “Red Stitch” wine label—born from a Napa Valley visit that made him feel “present” for the first time in years.
    • “‘My wife looks at me, goes, something’s different about you… you’re present.’” (Dave Roberts, 32:01)
  • Partnered with ex-teammates on winemaking—cabernet, pinot noir, chardonnay.
• Did LeBron Try It?
  • Sent LeBron a case three years ago, “still waiting on a thank you.” (Dave Roberts, 32:55)
• Golf Ventures:
  • Invested in vibrant Phoenix par-3 night golf scene (“it’s a vibe”) and is part of the “LA Roses” in a new team-based grass league featuring celebs like Mark Wahlberg.

Final Reflections: Adversity, Gut Calls, and Personality (36:27–42:33)

• Failures & Resilience:
  • Not afraid to own mistakes; stresses importance of process and resolve (“eff it” moments).
    • “I just honestly said, eff it. … I think whether it’s me having cancer and going eff it, I’m going to beat this. … you can’t worry about what other people think.” (Dave Roberts, 36:53–39:08)
• Personal Tidbits:
  • Reveals love for naps, crediting Japanese heritage.
  • Tells a UCLA story: accidentally flooded his dorm as a freshman, did community service, barely avoided expulsion.
    • “We flooded the entire dorm… had 40 hours of community service … So I had a rocky start to UCLA.” (Dave Roberts, 41:25)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Ohtani’s Impact:
  “He’s a one of one… you’re not talking about just the US, you’re talking about all of Japan. And to have to take that on, no one’s done that.” (Dave Roberts, 03:33)
• On Team Chemistry:
  “The ultimate goal is to win a championship, but along the way, this marathon of a journey, this climbing of a mountain… you’re going to get your flowers at certain points, but we still got to be mindful of the goal.” (Dave Roberts, 06:40)
• On Perseverance:
  “I bet on myself and I had an opportunity. I wasn’t afraid to fail. And that’s a message I think that, you know, I, I really believe In.” (Dave Roberts, 14:24)
• On Managing with Instinct:
  “When you make a decision… you’re betting on people… In one particular moment… you’re going with your gut.” (Dave Roberts, 19:34)
• On Coaching Freedoms:
  “When you’ve kind of supplanted yourself, cemented yourself in a certain role, you’ve got more grace, you’ve got more latitude. … That’s any job.” (Dave Roberts, 22:08)
• On Living Authentically:
  “You can’t worry about what other people think… I just can’t chase validation from people.” (Dave Roberts, 39:08)

Timestamps of Important Segments

• 00:00–06:16: Ohtani’s GOAT credentials, uniqueness, and off-field character
• 06:18–10:28: Managing egos, Dodgers’ challenges, back-to-back championships
• 10:28–12:48: Spending, salary cap/league parity debate
• 12:48–19:20: Roberts’ personal journey from player to cancer survivor to manager
• 19:20–23:20: Analytics vs gut calls; postseason examples
• 24:50–30:15: NFL analysis and coaching philosophies
• 30:41–35:51: Wine, golf, Red Stitch, and life balance
• 36:27–39:08: Overcoming failure, “eff it” moments, process
• 40:15–42:33: Lighthearted wrap-up—personal quirks and dorm-flooding story

Tone & Flavor

Roberts is candid, introspective, and warm; Mystic Zach matches him with enthusiasm and sharp sports insight. The conversation balances deep baseball knowledge, management wisdom, and relatable, often humorous, personal storytelling.

Summary Takeaways

• Dave Roberts firmly believes Shohei Ohtani is baseball’s greatest player ever, both for on-field impact and off-field presence.
• The Dodgers’ dynasty is built not just on talent, but on humility, culture, and leadership that values both analytics and gut instinct.
• Leadership means blending the needs of stars while keeping everyone aligned toward team goals—even when expectations are sky-high.
• Roberts’ own journey—from overlooked player to World Series hero, from battling cancer to World Series manager—anchors his philosophy of betting on people, hard work, and resilience.
• The episode is a must-listen for fans interested in what it takes to build, lead, and sustain a champion—on and off the field.