LOS ANGELES – May 9, 2025 — After weeks of anticipation, Landon Knack finally had his moment on the big stage, and he delivered.
Facing the Miami Marlins in what was only his second career MLB start, the 26-year-old right-hander threw 6 shutout innings, striking out 7 and walking none, helping the Los Angeles Dodgers cruise to a 5–0 win.
But it wasn’t just Knack’s stat line that made headlines — it was Dodgers manager Dave Roberts’ quiet, powerful reaction afterward.
As Knack returned to the dugout after his final inning, Roberts approached him, looked him in the eye, and delivered three simple words:
“You earned it.”
🙌 A Moment of Validation
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For Knack, who has battled through Triple-A innings, injury setbacks, and roster uncertainty, those three words meant everything.
“That meant the world,” Knack said postgame. “Coming from Doc, you know he doesn’t say things he doesn’t mean. It hit me hard.”
Roberts, known for his mix of professionalism and emotional intelligence, later explained:
“Landon’s been grinding for this opportunity. That wasn’t a lucky outing — that was the result of hard work. He earned it.”
🔍 Why This Start Mattered
Knack’s performance wasn’t just personally meaningful — it came at a critical time for the Dodgers, with key pitchers on the injured list and innings stacking up.
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6.0 IP
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3 H
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0 ER
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7 K / 0 BB
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91 pitches (61 strikes)
He showed poise, command, and efficiency — all hallmarks of a future mainstay in L.A.’s rotation.
🧠 What’s Next?
With this performance, Knack may have just cemented his spot as a key arm in the Dodgers’ pitching puzzle. Roberts hinted at more starts to come:
“We’ve been looking for guys to step up. Landon showed he’s ready.”
💬 Fans React
Dodger Nation was quick to rally behind Knack:
“Knack attack is real. Build around him.” – @DodgersDaily
“Roberts knows. 3 words, all class.” – @BlueHeavenLA
🧪 The Bigger Picture
In an era of flashy quotes and ego-driven narratives, Dave Roberts once again showed why he’s respected across the league. Sometimes, less is more — and in this case, three words said it all.
