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Dodgers legend Davey Lopes, record-setting basestealer, dies at 80

Dodgers legend Davey Lopes, record-setting basestealer, dies at 80

Davey Lopes, the four-time All-Star second baseman who anchored the Los Angeles Dodgers’ infield for a decade and set franchise records for stolen bases, died Wednesday at age 80. The Dodgers learned of his death in Rhode Island from his former wife, Lin Lopes.

Lopes debuted with the Dodgers in 1972 at age 27 and quickly became part of one of baseball’s most durable infields. Alongside Steve Garvey, Bill Russell, and Ron Cey, Lopes started together for 8½ consecutive seasons beginning in 1973. He holds the Dodgers record for most games at second base (1,134) and ranks second in franchise history in games batting leadoff (1,145), trailing only Maury Wills.

A premier basestealer, Lopes swiped 418 bags as a Dodger, second only to Wills (490) in club history. His 83.1% career success rate is the best in Dodgers history among players with at least 100 attempts. In 1975, he led the majors with 77 steals and set a then-MLB record with 28 consecutive successful steals. He also led the National League in steals in 1976 with 63.

Lopes played in four World Series with the Dodgers, winning the championship in 1981. His best Fall Classic came in 1978, when he hit two home runs in Game 1 against the New York Yankees. That same season, he won a Gold Glove and stole 45 bases in 49 attempts.

After leaving the Dodgers, Lopes played for the Oakland Athletics, Chicago Cubs, and Houston Astros, finishing his career with 557 stolen bases (26th all-time), a .263 batting average, 155 home runs, and 614 RBIs in 1,812 games.

Following his playing days, Lopes managed the Milwaukee Brewers from 2000 to 2002 and coached for the Orioles, Padres, Nationals, Phillies, and Dodgers. He won a second World Series as the Phillies’ first-base coach before returning to the Dodgers as baserunning and first-base coach from 2011 to 2015. He spent his final two seasons as the Nationals’ first-base coach in 2016-17.

Lopes is survived by his brothers, Patrick and John, and sisters, Jean, Judith, Mary, and Nina.

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