Former Brewers Manager Davey Lopes Dies at 80

Lopes was a four-time All-Star and one of baseball's premier base stealers during his 10 years with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 7:39pm

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A fractured, geometric painting in shades of blue, gold, and gray depicting the dynamic movements of a baseball game or player, conveying the legacy of Davey Lopes as a Dodgers great and prolific base stealer.The legacy of Davey Lopes, a Dodgers great and one of baseball's premier base stealers, is captured in a cubist-inspired illustration that deconstructs the sport's dynamic movements.Today in Milwaukee

Davey Lopes, a member of the Los Angeles Dodgers' record-setting infield of the 1970s and '80s and one of baseball's premier base stealers, died Wednesday at the age of 80. Lopes managed the Milwaukee Brewers from 2000-02 after his playing days.

Why it matters

Lopes was a key part of the Dodgers' success in the 1970s and '80s, establishing himself as one of the most prolific base stealers in MLB history. His time as Brewers manager in the early 2000s was also notable, as he tried to help turn around the struggling franchise.

The details

During his 10 years with the Dodgers, Lopes was a four-time All-Star and played in four World Series, winning the 1981 championship. He holds the franchise record for most games played at second base with 1,134, and his 1,145 games batting leadoff are second in the organization only to Maury Wills. Lopes established himself as one of the most prolific base stealers in baseball, swiping 418 bases as a Dodger, the second-highest career total in franchise history. After leaving the Dodgers, he played for the Oakland Athletics, Chicago Cubs, and Houston Astros before moving into coaching, including a stint as the Brewers' manager from 2000-02.

  • Lopes made his MLB debut on September 22, 1972.
  • In 1975, Lopes recorded a then-MLB record 28 consecutive steals without being caught.
  • Lopes led the majors in 1975 with 77 steals and the National League in 1976 with 63.
  • Lopes managed the Milwaukee Brewers from 2000-02.

The players

Davey Lopes

A four-time All-Star during his 10 years with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Lopes was one of baseball's premier base stealers, swiping 418 bases as a Dodger, the second-highest career total in franchise history.

Maury Wills

Wills holds the Dodgers franchise record for most games batting leadoff with 1,279, surpassing Lopes' total of 1,145.

Steve Garvey

Garvey, Bill Russell, Ron Cey, and Lopes formed the Dodgers' record-setting infield of the 1970s and '80s, starting together for 8 1/2 consecutive years.

Bill Russell

Garvey, Russell, Ron Cey, and Lopes formed the Dodgers' record-setting infield of the 1970s and '80s, starting together for 8 1/2 consecutive years.

Ron Cey

Garvey, Russell, Cey, and Lopes formed the Dodgers' record-setting infield of the 1970s and '80s, starting together for 8 1/2 consecutive years.

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What they’re saying

“Davey Lopes, a member of the Los Angeles Dodgers' record-setting infield of the 1970s and '80s and one of baseball's premier base stealers, died Wednesday. He was 80.”

— The Dodgers

The takeaway

Lopes' legacy as a Dodger great and one of the most prolific base stealers in MLB history will be remembered, as will his time as manager of the Milwaukee Brewers in the early 2000s.