Davey Lopes, Prolific Base-Stealer and World Series Champion, Dies at 80

Lopes was one of the game's elite base-stealers in the 1970s and 1980s, and is currently 26th all-time in stolen bases.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 7:29pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a baseball player sliding into a base, with sharp, overlapping planes of color representing the dynamic motion of the play.The aggressive, base-stealing style of Davey Lopes transformed the game of baseball in the 1970s and 80s.Chicago Today

Davey Lopes, a four-time MLB All-Star who spent 16 seasons in the major leagues, primarily with the Los Angeles Dodgers, passed away at the age of 80. Lopes was known as one of the game's elite base-stealers, swiping 557 bases over his career, and was a key member of the Dodgers' World Series-winning teams in 1981 as a player and the 2008 Philadelphia Phillies as a coach.

Why it matters

Lopes was a pioneering base-stealing threat who helped transform the game with his aggressive style of play. His record-setting stolen base streak and two World Series championships cemented his legacy as one of the most impactful players of his era.

The details

Lopes made his MLB debut with the Dodgers in 1972 and spent the next nine seasons as an everyday player, stealing 418 of his career 557 stolen bases with the club. He was one of the most prolific base-stealers in history, setting a then-record by successfully swiping 38 consecutive bases in 1975. Lopes played on four World Series teams with the Dodgers, making four All-Star teams, and winning a championship in 1981. After being traded to the Oakland A's in 1982, he continued to be a base-stealing threat, teaming up with Rickey Henderson as part of Billy Martin's 'Billy Ball' clubs. Lopes later served as a manager for the Milwaukee Brewers and as a coach for several other MLB teams, winning a second World Series title with the Phillies in 2008.

  • Lopes made his MLB debut with the Dodgers in 1972.
  • In the summer of 1975, Lopes set a then-record by successfully stealing 38 consecutive bases.
  • Lopes played on four World Series teams with the Dodgers (1974, 1977, 1978 and 1981), winning a championship in 1981.
  • Lopes was traded to the Oakland A's in 1982, where he continued to be a base-stealing threat.
  • Lopes retired after the 1987 season at the age of 41.

The players

Davey Lopes

A four-time MLB All-Star who spent 16 seasons in the major leagues, primarily with the Los Angeles Dodgers, and was known as one of the game's elite base-stealers, swiping 557 bases over his career.

Rickey Henderson

A Hall of Fame outfielder who played with Lopes on the Oakland A's 'Billy Ball' clubs in the early 1980s, known for his own prolific base-stealing abilities.

Billy Martin

The manager of the Oakland A's 'Billy Ball' clubs in the early 1980s, known for his aggressive, base-stealing style of play.

Los Angeles Dodgers

The team Lopes spent the majority of his career with, winning a World Series championship with them in 1981.

Philadelphia Phillies

The team Lopes won his second World Series championship with as a coach in 2008.

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What they’re saying

“My philosophy is to do anything you can to make the other team nervous. A running team puts a lot on the other side.”

— Davey Lopes

The takeaway

Davey Lopes' legacy as one of the most prolific base-stealers in MLB history and his key contributions to championship teams as both a player and coach cement his place as a pioneering and impactful figure in the game of baseball.