LOS ANGELES Dodgers manager Dave Roberts celebrates with others after the Dodgers defeated the San Diego Padres 7-2 in a baseball game to clinch the National League West division Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

Dear Dave (Roberts) and Kurt (Suzuki),

How was your off-season? Did you get some fishing in?

I write to offer some consolation about the inevitable trials of the upcoming MLB season. I mean, for anyone who is serious about sports, losing is tough.

And in Major League Baseball, even the best teams, the champs and World Series winners lose around 60 times. And each loss – no matter how it’s sandwiched between winning streaks – has to sting a little from self-reproach (“What should I have done differently?) to criticism from the news media and fans (“here’s what he should have done differently”).\

It’s occurred to me, that despite the different outcomes for the Dodgers and Angels in 2025, the both of you have a tough challenge in 2026.

It may seem as if you, Dave, have a crystal stair this year with yet another World Series trophy on the shelf and some tasty off-season free agent acquisitions.

KURT SUZUKI is the manager for 2026 (Angels photo).

But, frankly, in the big leagues, you’ll hear “what have you done for me lately?” a lot more than “you can’t win them all.”

And Kurt, you’re inheriting a team that was one of the worst in baseball, and which has been in the basement of the American League West for so long the players squint when they come out into the sunshine.

On the other hand, if you, Kurt, with your relatively empty cupboard of proven big-league talent, should pull off a miracle, like flirting with .500, you can expect to be ridden around Anaheim on the shoulders of delirious fans.

And if not, well, one season as a big league manager is better than none.

Yours in sympathy,
Jim