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Dodgers great Davey Lopes, an infield fixture and record-setting base stealer, dies at 80 - AP News
Davey Lopes, a longtime Los Angeles Dodgers infielder and premier base stealer, has died. He was 80. The Dodgers say they learned of his death on Wednesday from his former wife, Lin Lopes. Lopes was a four-time All-Star during his 10 years with the Dodgers, playing in four World Series and winning the 1981 championship. He holds the franchise record for most games played at second base and was known for his base-stealing prowess, with 418 steals for the Dodgers. After his playing career, Lopes managed the Milwaukee Brewers and coached for several teams, winning another World Series with the...
Dodgers great Davey Lopes, an infield fixture and record-setting base stealer, dies at 80
Los Angeles Dodgersâ Davey Lopes hits a home run during an NL playoff baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies, Thursday, Oct. 5, 1977, Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Rusty Kennedy, File)
Los Angeles Dodgers coach Davey Lopes gestures in the dugout during a baseball game in Miami, Sunday, Aug. 12, 2012. (AP Photo/J Pat Carter, File)
Los Angeles Dodgers second baseman Davey Lopes goes flying after forcing out Philadelphias Phillies Bake McBride in the front end of a double play hit into by Philadelphiaâs larry Bowa in the first inning of a baseball game, Oct. 4, 1977, in Los Angeles.. (AP Photo/File)
Los Angeles Dodgers Davey Lopes (15) signals to the crowd as he heads to the dugout on Tuesday, Oct. 10, 1978 in Los Angeles after hitting his second two-run home in the first game of the World Series. Youngster at right is Reggie Smith Jr. (AP Photo)
Los Angeles Dodgers second baseman Davey Lopes smiles and laughs in the teamâs clubhouse after Game 1 of baseballâs World Series against the New York Yankees, Tuesday, Oct. 10, 1978, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/File)
LOS ANGELES (AP) â Davey Lopes, a member of the Los Angeles Dodgersâ record-setting infield of the 1970s and â80s and one of baseballâs premier base stealers, died Wednesday. He was 80.
The Dodgers were informed of his death by his former wife, Lin Lopes. She told the team Lopes had Alzheimerâs and Parkinsonâs diseases and died at a hospital in his hometown of East Providence, Rhode Island.
Lopes was a four-time All-Star during his 10 years with the Dodgers. He played in four World Series, winning the 1981 championship. He holds the franchise record for most games played at second base with 1,134. His 1,145 games batting leadoff are second in the organizationâs history to Maury Wills (1,279).
Lopes was 27 years old when he made his MLB debut on Sept. 22, 1972.
The next season, Steve Garvey, Bill Russell, Ron Cey and Lopes began the first of 8 1/2 consecutive years starting together in the infield.
Lopes established himself as one of the most prolific base stealers in baseball. He stole 418 bases as a Dodger, the second-highest career total in franchise history behind Wills (490). Lopes holds the franchise record with an 83.1% career success rate (minimum 100 steals).
On Aug. 4, 1974, Lopes became the first Dodger since Wills to steal four bases in a game, and 20 days later, he tied the NL record with five steals against the Cardinals. In 1975, Lopes recorded a then-MLB record 28 consecutive steals without being caught.
He led the majors in 1975 with 77 steals and the National League in 1976 with 63. In 1978, he stole 45 bases in 49 attempts.
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