Davey Lopes facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Davey Lopes
Lopes coaching for the Nationals in 2017
Second baseman / Manager
Born: (1945-05-03)May 3, 1945 East Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.
Died: April 8, 2026(2026-04-08) (aged 80) Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.
Batted: Right Threw: Right
debut
September 22, 1972, for the Los Angeles Dodgers
Last appearance
October 4, 1987, for the Houston Astros
MLB statistics
Batting average	.263
Home runs	155
Runs batted in	614
Stolen bases	557
Managerial record	144–195
Winning %	.425
Teams
As player Los Angeles Dodgers (1972–1981) Oakland Athletics (1982–1984) Chicago Cubs (1984–1986) Houston Astros (1986–1987) As manager Milwaukee Brewers (2000–2002) As coach Texas Rangers (1988–1991) Baltimore Orioles (1992–1994) San Diego Padres (1995–1999, 2003–2005) Washington Nationals (2006) Philadelphia Phillies (2007–2010) Los Angeles Dodgers (2011–2015) Washington Nationals (2016–2017)
Career highlights and awards
4× All-Star (1978–1981) 2× World Series champion (1981, 2008) Gold Glove Award (1978) 2× NL stolen base leader (1975, 1976)

David "Davey" Earl Lopes (born May 3, 1945 – died April 8, 2026) was a talented American baseball player and manager. He was known for his amazing speed and power as a second baseman in Major League Baseball (MLB). Davey played for several teams, including the Los Angeles Dodgers, Oakland Athletics, Chicago Cubs, and Houston Astros, from 1972 to 1987. After his playing career, he also managed the Milwaukee Brewers from 2000 to 2002.

Davey Lopes' Early Life and Baseball Start

Davey Lopes was born on May 3, 1945, in East Providence, Rhode Island. He loved sports from a young age. In high school, he played baseball at La Salle Academy in Providence.

Davey continued playing baseball in college at Iowa Wesleyan College and Washburn University in Kansas. He was also a skilled basketball player for Washburn. His talent caught the eye of professional baseball teams. The San Francisco Giants drafted him in 1967, but he chose not to sign with them. The next year, in 1968, the Los Angeles Dodgers drafted him, and this time, he joined their team.

Davey Lopes: A Star Player

When Davey Lopes first joined the Dodgers, he was a bit shy. But his coach, Tommy Lasorda, helped him become more confident. Davey grew into a strong leader. He was known for his incredible speed and for making exciting plays on the field.

Davey made his first appearance in a major league game on September 22, 1972. He was 27 years old. Just two days later, he got his first hit! His first home run came in 1973.

Lopes with the Dodgers

Davey played as the regular second baseman for the Dodgers for nine seasons. He was part of a famous infield with Steve Garvey (first base), Bill Russell (shortstop), and Ron Cey (third base). This group played together for over eight years!

Speed on the Bases

Davey Lopes was one of the best base stealers in baseball history. He stole 557 bases in his career, which is a huge number! He was successful 83% of the time, meaning he rarely got caught. This makes him one of the top base stealers ever.

In 1975, Davey set an amazing record. He stole 38 bases in a row without getting caught! He led the National League in stolen bases in both 1975 (with 77 steals) and 1976 (with 63 steals). His speed was a major weapon for his team.

Power Hitter and All-Star

Davey wasn't just fast; he also had power. In 1979, he hit a career-high 28 home runs. This was a rare achievement for a second baseman. He was chosen to play in four All-Star games in a row, from 1978 to 1981.

He also won a Gold Glove Award in 1978 for being an excellent defensive player at second base. Davey played in four World Series with the Dodgers, helping them win the World Series championship in 1981. In the 1978 World Series, he hit three home runs!

Moving to Other Teams

After his time with the Dodgers, Davey joined the Oakland Athletics in 1982. There, he teamed up with another legendary base stealer, Rickey Henderson. Together, they stole 158 bases in one season, setting a new record for teammates!

Davey later played for the Chicago Cubs and the Houston Astros. He continued to steal bases even as he got older, showing his dedication to the game. He retired from playing in 1987 after a 16-season career. Overall, he had a .263 batting average, 155 home runs, and 614 runs batted in.

Davey Lopes: Coaching Career

After retiring as a player, Davey Lopes continued his baseball journey as a coach. He worked as a bench coach for the Texas Rangers from 1989 to 1991. Then, he became a first base coach for the Baltimore Orioles and the San Diego Padres.

Managing the Milwaukee Brewers

In 2000, Davey Lopes became the manager of the Milwaukee Brewers. He led the team during their final season at Milwaukee County Stadium and their first season at Miller Park.

During his time as manager, there was a discussion about "unwritten rules" in baseball. These are traditions that players often follow, even if they aren't official rules. Davey had a disagreement with another player about stealing a base when one team was far ahead. He believed it went against the spirit of the game.

Davey managed the Brewers for three seasons. The team faced challenges, and he was replaced as manager early in the 2002 season. His record as manager was 144 wins and 195 losses.

A Successful First Base Coach

After managing, Davey returned to coaching first base. He coached for the San Diego Padres, Washington Nationals, and Philadelphia Phillies. He was especially good at helping players improve their base stealing.

With the Phillies, his teams were incredibly successful at stealing bases. In 2007, they had the best stolen base percentage in MLB history! He then returned to the Los Angeles Dodgers as a first base coach. Finally, he coached for the Washington Nationals again before retiring from professional baseball after the 2017 season.

Davey Lopes' Career Statistics

Here are some of Davey Lopes' career statistics as a player and his record as a manager. These numbers show how well he performed in baseball.

Playing Career Statistics

Defensively, Lopes had a .977 fielding percentage. He mostly played second base, but also played in the outfield, at third base, and shortstop. In 50 postseason games, he had a .238 batting average with 29 runs, 6 home runs, 22 runs batted in, and 19 stolen bases.

Managerial Record

Personal Life

Davey Lopes had a mixed heritage, with roots in Cape Verde and Ireland. There is a recreation center in Providence, Rhode Island, named after him.

Later in his life, Davey faced some health challenges. He passed away in Rhode Island on April 8, 2026, at the age of 80.

See also

• List of Major League Baseball stolen base records
• List of Gold Glove Award winners at second base
• List of Major League Baseball career runs scored leaders
• List of Major League Baseball career stolen bases leaders
• List of Major League Baseball annual stolen base leaders