Dave Roberts Doesn't Expect to 'Butt Heads' With New Padres Manager

"On Thursday, as pitchers and catchers start reporting for spring training in Glendale, Arizona, Marty Caswell of Foul Territory noted Roberts has "butted heads with quite a few Padres managers" and asked him if he expects that to continue. Roberts indicated he does not think that will be the case with Craig Stammen. "I'm not going to butt heads with Stammen," Roberts said. "No way. I just don't see that happening. Don't see it happening.""

"Caswell referenced Roberts' previous confrontations with the Padres, perhaps the most prominent of which occurred in June. Roberts was ejected from the June 17, 2025, game with the Padres after Shohei Ohtani was plunked in the leg with a fastball. That struck batter came one inning after Padres star Fernando Tatis Jr. was hit, and Roberts confronted the umpire after he issued warnings to both teams. Three days later, Ohtani and Tatis were hit again, prompting the benches to clear."

"Stammen spent the last six years of his career with the Padres, prompting the San Diego Union-Tribune to dub the move "outside the box but from inside the organization." "I was surprised in the sense of, he hasn't coached before, but not surprised with the respect he has in the clubhouse, the game, and being familiar with the organization. Great"

Pitchers and catchers reported for spring training in Glendale, Arizona. Marty Caswell noted that Roberts has clashed with multiple Padres managers and asked whether that pattern will continue; Roberts said he does not expect conflict with Craig Stammen, stating he will not 'butt heads' with him. Roberts has a history of heated incidents with San Diego, including an ejection from the June 17, 2025 game after Shohei Ohtani was hit, which followed Fernando Tatis Jr. being plunked and later led to benches clearing. Stammen spent six seasons with the Padres, is respected in the clubhouse, and the rivalry is expected to remain competitive.

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