SACRAMENTO — Several rows of champagne flutes were lined up on a folding table in the middle of the visitor’s clubhouse at Sutter Health Park. It’s a Los Angeles Dodgers tradition to celebrate signature games and career milestones, with manager Dave Roberts and a few select players toasting the person of honor.On Tuesday night after a 9-3 win over the Athletics, Roberts found himself on the receiving end after adding another milestone to his era-defining run as manager of the Dodgers.The three-time World Series-winning manager won his 1,000th career game, achieving the mark in his 1,606th attempt and reaching the milestone faster than any other big-league manager. Roberts topped Cap Anson, who notched his 1,000th win with his 1,641st decision in 1893.“I know people say the word surreal a lot, but it is surreal,” Roberts said. “Because you take a step back and look at the body of work, it’s been a fun ride. It really has. And I do think that I am taking this night and enjoying the moment, because there’s a lot of people that contributed, obviously. So that’s what I’m more grateful for.”
1,000 wins and counting for Doc. 🥹 pic.twitter.com/I3z0I5wMo8
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) July 1, 2026That gratitude was felt throughout the room. Clubhouse leaders Miguel Rojas and Freddie Freeman led the toast for Roberts, which he said “meant everything.”Justin Wrobleski acknowledged there was some extra motivation as the starting pitcher, and he responded by notching a career-high 11 strikeouts in his 10th quality start of the year.“I wanted to do it for Doc because he’s done a lot for me in my career,” Wrobleski said.Tommy Edman, who went 4-for-5 with a home run and four RBIs, described Roberts as an “easy guy to communicate with and an easy guy to play for.” That was a common sentiment throughout the clubhouse as players shared the impact made on them by their skipper.“He’s a special person,” Mookie Betts said. “He is my manager, but I just don’t really see him that way. I see him more as like a baseball dad, to be honest.”Roberts became the 69th MLB skipper to record 1,000 wins — right behind Detroit Tigers manager A.J. Hinch, who accomplished the same feat on Monday night. Roberts’ .623 winning percentage is higher than any manager in American or National League history.Before the game, Roberts downplayed the significance of the milestone. The man at the helm of the Dodgers dynasty does not allow himself many opportunities to look back. There is still too much to be done for the club accused of ruining baseball while seeking a third consecutive World Series.
