Dave Roberts: Freddie Freeman & Clayton Kershaw Represent Dodgers’ Identity

With the calendar turning to September, the Los Angeles Dodgers have officially entered the final month of the 2025 regular season.

The team is well on its way to a 13th consecutive playoff appearance, whether that be in the form of another National League West title or as a Wild Card team.

While the Dodgers are in the midst of another successful year, it hasn’t come without a fair share of adversity. L.A. has dealt with a plethora of injuries, in addition to several key players enduring lengthy slumps during the season.

For those reasons, the Dodgers have faced plenty of uncertainty this year. However, the club has gotten some much-needed stability from Freddie Freeman and Clayton Kershaw.

“I think the constant with this season, it’s easy for me to point to Freddie and Clayton,” manager Dave Roberts answered when asked what the Dodgers’ identity is.

“When you don’t have your best, those two players in particular will themselves to performance. I think that’s something that’s a lesson for all of us. So I think if I had to point to something as far as an identity, it’s those two guys.”

Freeman, now in his fourth year with the Dodgers, has appeared in all but 14 of the team’s games this season. Despite struggling at times himself, Freeman has put together another solid year and is in the running to win his first batting title.

Kershaw, the longest-tenured Dodgers player, continues to be a steady presence as well. Even with his overall stuff declining, Kershaw has found ways to reinvent himself on the mound to give the team a chance to win on any day.

Dave Roberts: Freddie Freeman brought ‘desire’ to Dodgers

Earlier this year, Roberts discussed the impact Freeman has made on the Dodgers since signing with the team before the 2022 season.

“He’s brought the desire,” Roberts said. “He’s got gratitude, the desire to play every day, to know that this is a job and your job is to play and you’ve got to maximize your value. And that’s by playing. He’s tough, he’s about the team.

“I’ve said it before, all encompassing, he’s my favorite player to be around as far as what he does for the culture, the organization, the team.”