Dodgers News: Dave Roberts Says All-Star Reserves Were Not His Choosing

While it might not be news to all, Dodgers’ manager Dave Roberts says he did not select the NL All-Star reserves. Already we talked a little bit about the Dodgers’ snubs. Then, Kenley Jansen weighed in on not making the squad.

Now we learn what is no longer common knowledge. Previously, the manager of each All-Star squad made the selections of the reserves on his roster. Moreover, Roberts tells Bill Plunkett of the OC Register that this is no longer the case in baseball.

#Dodgers Dave Roberts said he had no input into makeup of All-Star roster: “That’s a player vote and the commissioner’s office gets together. I didn’t (pick anybody). They changed that. … 1/2

— Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) July 1, 2019

“… It’s good and bad. I get less texts and phone calls from other managers (lobbying for their players). But obviously I think if I had my druthers we’d have about eight All-Stars (from the #Dodgers) representing the National League.”

— Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) July 1, 2019

Interestingly, Roberts said he didn’t have a hand in this year’s selections.

“I didn’t (pick anybody). They changed that,” Roberts said. “It’s good and bad. I get less texts and phone calls from other managers (lobbying for their players). But obviously I think if I had my druthers we’d have about eight All-Stars (from the Dodgers) representing the National League.”

Reading between the lines, Roberts is telling us that baseball hand-picked the reserves they want to be in the game. Certainly this could be the powers that be doing what they can to increase ratings and further popularity of the sport.

While this is okay – the All-Star process seemed confusing this year. It was the first year for a new voting format that played out in interesting fashion with primaries and then some. There was also nothing in bold print anywhere that let fans know the manager doesn’t hand-pick his players.

Finally, Roberts is acknowledging that guys like Max Muncy, Alex Verdugo, and Jansen would possibly be his picks if it were up to him. Earning that All-Star spot is no longer as simple as playing well and having your manager at the helm on selection Sunday.

If you were Dave Roberts – which players would you have taken from the Dodgers or the rest of the league that didn’t get a spot? Let us know in the comments below.

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