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We've known for some time now that Dave Roberts was interviewing with the Dodgers, but now it's official. The former Padres outfielder, first base coach, and bench coach is moving up I-5 to Chavez Ravine.
Sources confirm: Dave Roberts expected to be named #Dodgers manager. Talks in final stages. First reported: @dylanohernandez, @BillShaikin.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) November 23, 2015
Barring an unlikely Bud Black-esque breakdown in negotiations, Roberts will be taking over for Don Mattingly, who got the boot after another disappointing playoff performance. This is a bitter pill for San Diego fans to swallow, as Dave was universally beloved here. He hit .285/.358/.409 while playing for the last two Padres teams to see playoff baseball, and then started his coaching career by surviving a bout with Hodgkins lymphoma. When Rick Renteria was hired by the Cubs in 2014, Dave was promoted to bench coach, where he spent the remainder of his time here (barring the one game he managed after Black was fired).
We'll miss seeing Dave Roberts's smile in the Padres dugout, and we're happy for him, but we wish he'd gone somewhere we could wish him luck.