Dodgers Great Lopes, Infield Fixture and Record Stealer, Dies at 80

Davey Lopes was a key part of the Dodgers' dominant infield in the 1970s and 80s.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 6:11am

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An abstract, energetic painting featuring bold brushstrokes in neon colors, capturing the dynamic movement and athleticism of a baseball player in action.The late Dodgers great Davey Lopes, known for his electrifying base-stealing ability, is memorialized in a dynamic, colorful painting.Los Angeles Today

Davey Lopes, a former Los Angeles Dodgers player who was a member of the team's record-setting infield in the 1970s and 80s and one of baseball's all-time great base stealers, has died at the age of 80.

Why it matters

Lopes was a beloved figure in Dodgers history, playing a crucial role on some of the team's most successful squads and establishing himself as one of the game's premier base-stealing threats during his 16-year MLB career.

The details

Lopes spent the majority of his career with the Dodgers, playing second base and helping anchor an infield that included Steve Garvey, Ron Cey, and Bill Russell. He was a four-time All-Star and still holds the Dodgers' single-season record for stolen bases with 77, set in 1975.

  • Lopes died on Wednesday, April 9, 2026.

The players

Davey Lopes

A former Los Angeles Dodgers player who was a four-time All-Star and one of baseball's all-time great base stealers, holding the Dodgers' single-season record with 77 stolen bases in 1975.

Steve Garvey

A former Dodgers first baseman who played alongside Lopes on the team's dominant infield in the 1970s and 80s.

Ron Cey

A former Dodgers third baseman who played alongside Lopes on the team's dominant infield in the 1970s and 80s.

Bill Russell

A former Dodgers shortstop who played alongside Lopes on the team's dominant infield in the 1970s and 80s.

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The takeaway

Lopes' passing marks the end of an era for the Dodgers, as he was a key part of some of the team's most successful squads and left an indelible mark on the franchise and the game of baseball as a whole.