Dave Roberts sets sights on managing Team USA at 2028 Los Angeles Olympics

LOS ANGELES -- As discussions continue about Major League Baseball players potentially appearing in the Olympics for the first time, Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts has already made his ambition known: he wants to manage Team USA at the 2028 Summer Games.

Speaking recently with The California Post, Roberts expressed direct interest in leading the American squad when baseball returns to the Olympic stage in Los Angeles. The sport is scheduled to be played at Dodger Stadium, a venue that holds deep personal and professional significance for the veteran manager.

Roberts believes his resume aligns naturally with the opportunity. A UCLA graduate who now manages the Dodgers, he views the location and timing as a perfect fit. Beyond geography, Roberts also brings prior international experience, having represented the United States at the 1999 Pan American Games. That tournament helped qualify the U.S. for the 2000 Sydney Olympics, where the Americans captured gold under Hall of Fame manager Tommy Lasorda.

Roberts’ background also reflects the diverse makeup of Los Angeles itself. The son of an African American father and a Japanese mother, he has long spoken about the importance of cultural representation within the game. His family’s history of service further ties into the Olympic stage, as his late father, Waymon Roberts, served for decades in the U.S. Marines.

The possibility of MLB stars participating adds another layer of intrigue. Several high-profile players, including Bryce Harper and Shohei Ohtani, have publicly expressed interest in playing in the Olympics if given the opportunity. Historically, Major League Baseball has not paused its season for international tournaments outside of its control, resulting in Team USA rosters built primarily from amateur and minor league players. In contrast, Japan has consistently sent professionals from its domestic league.

That dynamic could change in 2028. MLB commissioner Rob Manfred has indicated growing optimism that an agreement can be reached between the league, the players’ union, and LA28 organizers. A key development came in November, when Olympic officials announced a revised baseball schedule requiring only a slightly extended All-Star break.

Under the proposed timeline, Olympic baseball would begin July 13 and conclude July 19, allowing MLB to potentially keep its All-Star Game on its traditional mid-July date. If an agreement is finalized, Roberts’ vision of managing a star-studded Team USA roster in his home city may soon move from aspiration to reality.