Greater LA Scouting Honors Dave Roberts
After claiming a second World Series title in four seasons Los Angeles Dodger skipper Dave Roberts was presented with the Greater LA Scouting Character Award. The award was given in front of Scouts and their families, several dignitaries including Los Angeles City Mayor Karen Bass. The event was Emceed by Comedian, Emmy and Golden Globe nominee Anthony Anderson at the world Famous Millennium Biltmore Hotel in downtown Los Angeles.
Earl Heath | Contributing Writer
After claiming a second World Series title in four seasons Los Angeles Dodger skipper Dave Roberts was presented with the Greater LA Scouting Character Award. The award was given in front of Scouts and their families, several dignitaries including Los Angeles City Mayor Karen Bass. The event was Emceed by Comedian, Emmy and Golden Globe nominee Anthony Anderson at the world Famous Millennium Biltmore Hotel in downtown Los Angeles.
Emmy and Golden Globe nominated actor Anthony Anderson shares a moment with Eagle Scout Preston Dalie (Photo: Sara Medina)
A former Major League Baseball player heading into his 10th season with the Dodgers, Roberts has made a powerful impact on the franchise and MLB as a whole. He holds the highest winning percentage by a manager in Major League history and is the only National League manager to lead his team to the playoffs in each of his first nine seasons.
The Good Character Award was presented Roberts by Mayor Bass also with a Proclamation from the City of Los Angeles. “I’ve always told my guys, ‘If you care about the guy next to you, and really want the best for him, then everything else will take care of itself,” said Roberts in front of some 350 plus attendees. “That’s a lesson I see reflected in the work of Greater Los Angeles Scouting, and for that, this organization and all of you young Scouts have my deepest respect and admiration.”
With the leadership of Roberts’ the Dodgers became winners of the 2020 and 2024 World Series, making him only the second Black manager to achieve this milestone. He has guided the team to four National League pennants and eight NL West division titles in nine seasons, and he is one of five managers in MLB history to record five seasons with 100 or more wins, achieving this in record time.He joined the legendary Tommy Lasorda as the only Dodgers manager to be named National League Manager of the Year in his first season in 2016, becoming the first manager of Asian descent to receive the honor
The DODGER skipper was born in Okinawa, Japan to an African American father and a Japanese mother, he grew up in Southern California. He played college baseball at UCLA, where he set the school record for stolen bases. Off the field, he is an advocate for diversity and inclusion in sports, serving on multiple advisory committees, and is a member of the Anti-Defamation League’s Sports Leadership Council.
Roberts lives in Southern California with his wife, Tricia, where they raised their children Cole and Emme. He is a respected figure in the baseball community and continues to inspire the next generation of players and fans.
From the start guest were energized with a rousing performance from the UCLA Marching Band, which brought the crowd to their feet. “I feel like were already to go out and tailgate,” said Anderson After the bands final song.
There were several uplifting speeches delivered by exceptional Eagle Scouts Belen Haro from Troop 927 and Coen Martinez from Troop 407, along with Preston Dalie.
Haro is believed to be one of the first female Eagle scouts. “When I was in fifth grade a friend of mine said, ‘ I have just the thing for you’.” We had learned girls were eligible to become Eagle Scouts. She created a mural that honors the six female Supreme Court Justices. The mural is located at Archer School for Girls.
Dale was presented with a prestigious Honor Medal by Board Chairman and President Steven Rothans, Council Commissioner Craig Snodgrass, and CEO & Scout Executive Bob Kurkjian, underscoring the courage and values embodied by Scouting.
Board Chairman and President Steven J. Rothans and CEO & Scout Executive Bob Kurkjian expressed deep gratitude to the Gala Committee, sponsors, Scouts, and families who made the evening possible and shared the vision for the future of Scouting. .
Former Character award recipients include LA County Supervisor Kathryn Burger 2019), Kathryn J. Turner Founding Principle Donald Crocker-Attorney and Cris Manager(2011).Reverend Cecil ‘Chip’ Murray Frist AME Church (2018, Jeanie Cushman Philanthropist-(2014)
