Los Angeles Dodgers Manager Reveals Thoughts on Bellinger After Joining Cubs
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It's not everyday that a manager comments on a former player who left his team in free agency for another. But that is exactly what happened on Friday when Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts gave his honest thoughts on Cody Bellinger after he joined the Chicago Cubs this past winter.
Roberts spoke with Bill Plunkett of the Southern California News Group on Friday and gave his honest opinion on Bellinger and his run with the franchise in which he won the 2019 National League MVP.
“I think the whole net of it was a great run for Cody, for the Dodgers,” Roberts said. “I wish we could have done more to support him and get some more consistency for him. But our hope is that the change of scenery will kind of tap into something that’s already in there that we know. I’ll always root for Cody.”
The sentiments that Roberts has for Bellinger is a powerful indicator of Bellinger's character, as well as the production value he can bring to a lineup.
However, things didn't always go Bellinger's way, there is a reason he wasn't retained by the Dodgers and the Cubs took a chance on him in free agency.
Roberts, while taking some of the responsibility for Bellinger's decline, he did put some of the onus back on the player.
“I don’t know,” he said. “But as a coach, you want to feel like you do everything you can. I think we did. But obviously some of it has to do with the player, and Cody would be the first to tell you that. But also, as far as an organization, you always want to do the most you can for a player. Sometimes you just don’t have any answers. It’s not an indictment on anyone.”
Bellinger hopes to get back on track and rebound this season with a performance more reminiscent of his 2019 season. Roberts believes he can do it and is rooting for him.
So is the entire North Side.
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