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Eight things you should know about Dave Roberts

Dave Roberts has strong Southern California ties.

Dave Roberts has strong Southern California ties.

(Gregory Bull / Associated Press)
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Here are eight things you should know about Dave Roberts, who was named Dodgers manager Monday:

1. Roberts was the starting quarterback for Rancho Buena Vista High in Vista, Calif., during his senior year and led his team to the San Diego Section Class 3A title.

2. He is UCLA’s all-time stolen base leader, with 109 steals from 1991-94.

3. He is one of only 53 players in major league history with a career stolen base success rate above 80% (minimum 80 attempts).

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4. He is still beloved by Boston Red Sox fans for his stolen base in Game 4 of the 2004 ALCS. The Red Sox were facing elimination in the bottom of the ninth and were trailing 4-3. Roberts came in to run for Kevin Millar, who had walked. With pretty much the whole ballpark knowing he was in there to steal second, Yankees closer Mariano Rivera threw to first and almost picked Roberts off. On Rivera’s next pitch to home plate, Roberts stole second. He scored on Bill Mueller’s single, sending the game into extra innings, where the Red Sox won, then came back from a 3-0 series deficit to win the pennant before going on to win their first World Series since 1918. You can watch the steal here:

5. He is part owner of Red Stitch Winery in Cardiff, Calif.

6. In March 2010, Roberts was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma and underwent treatment. In June 2011, he announced he was cancer free.

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7. Roberts, whose father is African American and whose mother is Japanese, is the first minority manager in the history of the Dodgers.

8. He spent the last two seasons as a bench coach for the San Diego Padres.

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