Dodgers skipper to speak at annual baseball event

The Nevada baseball team will hold the 33rd annual Bobby Dolan Baseball Dinner on Jan. 19 at the Reno Ballroom.

The guest speaker is manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers and 2016 National League Manager of the Year, Dave Roberts.

The event will begin at 4:30 p.m. with the VIP reception, followed by a 5:30 p.m. social hour and dinner at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $150 per person and $1,500 for a table of 10. Additionally, a VIP package for a table of 10, including a private reception with Dave Roberts, is available for $2,500.

For details or to reserve tickets, call 775-682-6901.

Roberts, who was also named the Sporting News’ Manager of the Year, led the Dodgers to a 91-71 record and the team’s fourth consecutive National League West Division title in his first season leading the team in 2016. He is the 10th skipper in Los Angeles Dodgers history and the fourth to play for, and manage, the team.

A veteran of 10 major league seasons, he debuted with the Cleveland Indians on Aug. 7, 1999. In addition to playing three seasons for the Indians, he played for the Dodgers (2002-04), Red Sox (2004), Padres (2005-06) and Giants (2007-08).

In 832 career games, he batted .266 with 243 stolen bases, including a career-high 49 in 2006, playing for the Padres and also hit a career-best .293. In 302 games with the Dodgers he batted .262 with 118 stolen bases in 143 attempts.

Born in Okinawa on a U.S. Marine base, Roberts spent most of his formative years in San Diego. He was recruited to play football for Air Force as an option quarterback but instead walked on with the UCLA baseball team. Roberts hit .326 with a UCLA-record 109 steals in 181 games before being selected in the 28th round by the Detroit Tigers in 1994.

The Dolan Baseball Dinner raises funds that support the Wolf Pack baseball team. The Pack will be led by second-year head coach T.J. Bruce this season. In Bruce’s first year Nevada went 37-24 and advanced to the Mountain West Championship game.