#davey lopes

February 8, 1982

CONTEMPLATING THE DEATHS OF THREE PROMINENT SO CAL SPORTS STARS Having Davey Lopes, Garret Anderson, and Rod Martin – three So Cal athletes who were big names and contributed so much to L.A.’s sports scene – pass away within twelve days of each other, While I won’t say that it completely freaked me out, It got me to thinking about how time flies MUCH too fast. Particularly since I grew up…

The Dodgers legend Davey Lopes has recently passed away from medical complications, at the age of 80. He was a four-time MLB All-Star and two-time World Series Champion. Lopes was a member of the team’s record-setting infield of the 1970’s and 1980’s. Born and raised in Rhode Island, he attended Iowa Wesleyan College and Washburn University in Kansas. He was drafted by the San Francisco Giants in 1967 but didn’t sign, instead he joined the Dodgers during the second round of the 1968 MLB January draft, although his Major League Baseball debut wouldn’t come until 1972.

Along with Steve Garvey, Ron Cey, and Bill Russell, Lopes was part of the most iconic infield in Dodgers history. He helped lead the team to four National League pennants in the ‘70s and early ‘80s. He was also an irreplaceable asset in the Dodgers’ 1981 World Series win against the Yankees.

From 1982 to 1984, he played for the Oakland Athletics alongside Rickey Henderson. In the mid ‘80s he played for the Chicago Cubs, and shortly after played for the Houston Astros. He retired at the end of the ’87 season. His career in baseball didn’t end there, he was a bench coach for the Texas Rangers from 1989 to 1991. He coached first base for the Baltimore Orioles from 1992 to 1994 and the San Diego Padres from 1995 to 1999. He served as manager of the Milwaukee Brewers from 2000 to 2002, reunited with the Padres to coach first base again from 2003 to 2005. In 2006 he worked with the Washington Nationals, from 2007 to 2010 he worked with the Philadelphia Phillies, and then made his way back to the Dodgers to coach first base until 2015.

Davey Lopes may be gone but his legacy will never be forgotten. He contributed an immense amount to the sport he loved and will impact players for generations to come.