Ten-time All Star Steve Garvey had a long and productive big league career
Steve Garvey was destined to be a Dodger. The team’s spring training bat boy from 1956-1961, Garvey was a natural in Dodger blue. A two-sport athlete at Michigan State University, Garvey lettered for the Spartans as a defensive back. As a baseball player, he hit a grand slam in his first colle
Ten-time All Star Steve Garvey had a long and productive big league career
Steve Garvey was destined to be a Dodger. The team’s spring training bat boy from 1956-1961, Garvey was a natural in Dodger blue.
A two-sport athlete at Michigan State University, Garvey lettered for the Spartans as a defensive back. As a baseball player, he hit a grand slam in his first collegiate at bat.
In 1968, the Dodgers selected him in the first round of what many call the greatest draft in pro sports history. Los Angeles drafted nine future All Stars who went on to play 148 combined MLB seasons.
Garvey debuted in 1969 and was in the big leagues to stay in two years later. Originally a third baseman, he made the switch to first base in 1973. His career took off. On June 23 that year he joined third baseman Ron Cey, shortstop Bill Russell, and second baseman Davey Lopes in the Dodger infield. The quartet remained together for 8 1/2 years – the most enduring infield in the game’s history.
Settling in to his new position, Garvey hit .304, 35 points higher than his previous best in the bigs. In 1974 he became had a storybook year. The first baseman reached the All Star game as a write-in candidate. Once there he went 2-for-4 with an RBI and run scored. He was named the MVP of the NL’s 7-2 triumph.
By season’s end Garvey’s 200 hits were good for a .312 averaged. He added 21 homers and 11 runs batted in and was named the NL MVP. His Dodgers benefitted great, winning 103 games and the NL West title. Los Angeles won the pennant before dropping to the Oakland A’s in the World Series.
From 1974-1982, the durable first baseman averaged 155 games played and 190 hits per per season, hitting .306. Garvey made the All Star team and received votes in the MVP race every season from 1974-1981. A hit machine, Garvey had 200 or more hits in six of seven seasons from ’74-’80.
During the run he earned four Gold Glove Awards. He helped the team reach four World Series, culminating with a ring in ’81. In 55 career postseason games, Garv hit .338 with a .550 slugging percentage.
From September 3, 1975 through July 29, 1983, Garvey did not miss a game. His 1,207 consecutive games played established a still-standing National League record. For his career, Garvey totaled 2,599 hits, 272 homers, and 1,308 runs batted in. The 10-time All Star won four Gold Glove, was the NLCS and All Star Game MVP twice. He was also the recipient of both the Roberto Clemente and Lou Gehrig Awards.
A 19-year old Garvey is shown here in his first Topps card. Garvey signed the 1971 offering. Note the fielders glove in the picture instead of a more familiar first baseman’s mitt. Garvey who debuted in 1969 did not make his initial appearance at first base until the 1972 season.
Garvey played on five pennant-winning teams and the 1981 World Series champs
Steve Garvey played in the postseason five times during his 19-year career. His teams earned National League pennants in 1974, ’77, ’78 ’81, and ’84. Garvey reached baseball’s pinnacle when his Dodgers won the World Series in 1981. The first baseman’s first foray
Garvey played on five pennant-winning teams and the 1981 World Series champs
Steve Garvey played in the postseason five times during his 19-year career. His teams earned National League pennants in 1974, ’77, ’78 ’81, and ’84. Garvey reached baseball’s pinnacle when his Dodgers won the World Series in 1981.
The first baseman’s first foray into October baseball came in 1974. Shown here is a photo signed by Garvey and two others who pushed the Dodgers to the pennant – Jimmy Wynn, and Bill Buckner.
Traded to the Dodgers in December, 1973, Wynn made an immediate impact in ’74. Known for his power and ability to get on base, Wynn slugged 32 homers and drive in 108 runs.
His 151 OPS+ and 7.7 WAR reflected production that helped propel the Dodgers to the National League pennant. Wynn added a much-needed spark to an already potent lineup.
Garvey added 200 hits, 21 homers, and 111 RBI to capture the NL MVP Award. Interestingly his 5.4 WAR placed 4th on his own team.
Buckner finished second on the NL championship squad in hits, doubles, and steals. The trio, along with key Dodger performers, helped the team to 102 regular-season wins.
The picture above is autographed by all three men.
In 1977 Steve Garvey was part of baseball's first quartet of 30-HR teammates
In 1977 the Dodgers displayed power never before seen in baseball history. Steve Garvey, Reggie Smith, Ron Cey, and Dusty Baker each smashed 30 home runs. The majestic show marked the first time four teammates reached the 30-homer mark in the same season. The fearsome foursome played together from 1
In 1977 Steve Garvey was part of baseball's first quartet of 30-HR teammates
In 1977 the Dodgers displayed power never before seen in baseball history. Steve Garvey, Reggie Smith, Ron Cey, and Dusty Baker each smashed 30 home runs. The majestic show marked the first time four teammates reached the 30-homer mark in the same season.
The fearsome foursome played together from 1976 through 1981. In ’77 and ’78 they helped the Dodgers earn back-to-back National League pennants. Each time they came up short, losing in the World Series to the Yankees. Redemption came in 1981 when they finally tamed their October New York foes.
After the World Series-winning campaign Smith left for San Francisco. The following offseason Garvey headed south to San Diego while Cey headed for the Windy City. Baker stayed in LA through ’83 before joining the Giants.
The ’81 Fall Classic opened in New York with two Yankee victories. In Los Angeles for Games 3 and 4, Cey went 4-for-7 with a homer and 5 runs batted in to help the Dodgers even the Series.
Los Angeles led 2-1 in pivotal Game 5 when Cey come to the plate in the bottom of the 8th. Yankees fireballer Goose Gossage uncorked an 0-1 fastball that hit Cey in the helmet. The Dodger Stadium crowd of 56,115 went silent as their man collapsed in the batter’s box.
Cey was helped off the field in favor of pinch runner Kenny Landreaux. His team made the lead stand up as the Dodgers went ahead 3 games to 2.
Three days later in New York, Los Angeles claimed the championship. Cey, Steve Yeager, and Pedro Guerrero were named tri-MVP.
Steve Garvey's Cooperstown candidacy now rests with the Veterans Committee
While he was active, Steve Garvey seemed like a sure-fire Hall of Famer. With a long and distinguished big league career and the accolades to go with it, a plaque in Cooperstown felt like a forgone conclusion. Surprisingly, that was not the case. In his 15 years on the writers’ ballot, Garvey
Steve Garvey's Cooperstown candidacy now rests with the Veterans Committee
While he was active, Steve Garvey seemed like a sure-fire Hall of Famer. With a long and distinguished big league career and the accolades to go with it, a plaque in Cooperstown felt like a forgone conclusion.
Surprisingly, that was not the case. In his 15 years on the writers’ ballot, Garvey never received even half the vote. Since then he has appeared on the Veteran Committee ballot multiple times. The evolution of statistical measurement has been unkind to the first baseman. His 38.1 WAR and career 117 OPS+ reveal a gap from perception to reality of his effectiveness and value.
Shown here is a 1977 correspondence between Hall of Fame third baseman Brooks Robinson and Garvey. In it, Robinson requests Garvey’s consent to lend name name to the Babe Ruth Advisory Board. Garvey agreed to this, writing, “Thanks for adding me to your foundation.”
At the bottom, Garvey dates the document July 28, 1977, the day the Dodgers beat the Philadelphia Phillies 2-1.
After retirement, Garvey continued to receive honors for his athletic acccomplishments
Though Cooperstown now seems like a long shot, Steve Garvey is immortalized in multiple cities for his athletic accomplishments. The two-sport college letterman is in the Michigan State University Athletics Hall of Fame. The school also retired his baseball jersey number 10. In 2009 he was inducted
In the above image, Garvey pens one of his favorite quotes. “Life is God’s gift to us. What we do with it is our gift go God.”
In 2019 Garvey was part of the inaugural class of Legends of Dodger Baseball
Some players reach the level of franchise icons but fall just short of Cooperstown. In 2019 the Dodgers created a way to honor such men as Legends of Dodger Baseball. The first class of Dodger legends included Don Newcombe, Fernando Valenzuela, and Steve Garvey. A bat boy for the Dodgers in spring t
In 2019 Garvey was part of the inaugural class of Legends of Dodger Baseball
Some players reach the level of franchise icons but fall just short of Cooperstown. In 2019 the Dodgers created a way to honor such men as Legends of Dodger Baseball.
The first class of Dodger legends included Don Newcombe, Fernando Valenzuela, and Steve Garvey. A bat boy for the Dodgers in spring training from 1956-1961, Garvey was one of the most beloved Dodgers of his era. He helped Los Angeles to four National League pennants and the 1981 World Series title.
The first baseman represented the Dodgers in eight-straight All Star Games starting in his MVP year of 1974. A four-time Gold Glover, Garvey had six 200-hit campaigns for Los Angeles.
In 1968, the Dodgers drafted nine players who would go on to play a total of 148 seasons in the Major Leagues, appear in 23 All Star games, total over 11,000 hits, and club more than 1,100 home runs. The two pitchers from the draft tallied 305 big league wins. Add in six Gold Glove Awards, a batting championship, an All Star MVP award, a regular-season MVP award, a World Series MVP award, and the N.L. record holder for consecutive games played, and it’s easy to see why many believe it’s the greatest draft by any team in the history of professional sports. “The draft of 1968 was historical,” said Ron Cey, one of the players drafted that year. “97% of the cream of the crop each year is supposed to fail. That draft might be the best draft in history with a bunch of guys who played 15 years or so, Bobby Valentine, Billy Buckner, Davey Lopes, Tom Paciorek, Doyle Alexander, Steve Garvey, Joe Ferguson, myself. That’s a lot of guys right there.” Cey failed to include 111-game winner, Geoff Zahn, a Dodger teammate for three seasons. The selection of those players laid the foundation for continued excellence in Los […]
Absolutly. Great first baseman. From the stands watched him hit the full cycle against the Cards. He was a all around solid player. Listened to Ted Williams comment on Garvey’s warm up swing. Looks like he’s golfing. Then Steve hit a 3 run homer. Dodgers win.
Yes Garvey should be in the hall. How many guys are in that don’t have the numbers he has. By the way how is Tommy John not in the hall. In recent years look at the pitchers that have been inducted and the don’t hold a candle to TJ. Garvey is a YES
He does belong in the HOF. He was a outstanding ball player never missed a game played in over 1200 straight games . A great clutch hitter both in the play- offs and WS and had outstanding stats in both Los Angeles and San Diego!
A damn shame Garvey is not in The Hall already. The man had a long, productive career, and was involved in multiple World Series. One of the best defensive 1st basemen ever, and great clutch hitter. Vote him in!
In my most humble opinion, I think Steve Garvey deserves to be in Cooperstown. He had (6) 200 hit seasons. (10)Time All Star(4) Time Gold Glove Award Winner. NL MVP 1974, NLCS MVP 1978 and 1984, 1981 Roberto Clemente Award Winner. He holds the NL record for consecutive games played(1,207) NL All Star MVP 1974 and 1978. (6) Time Silver Slugger Award Winner. Steve Garvey was”Pretty Good”
How can the baseball hall of fame consider itself relevant without Steve Garvey being inducted into It? I mean he dominated his position for 15 yrs and was 162 game Iron Man with consecutive game streak every seems to forget about. Best player on the Dodgers 1970s Championship teams – played in multiple World Series , multiple gold gloves . Great ambassador for the game . Am I missing something ? Hall of fame is a joke until Garvey is inducted. Get this man the recognition he deserves !!
Absolutely! He belongs in the HOF!
Most definitely! He’s always been a great 1st baseman my favorite
Absolutly. Great first baseman. From the stands watched him hit the full cycle against the Cards. He was a all around solid player. Listened to Ted Williams comment on Garvey’s warm up swing. Looks like he’s golfing. Then Steve hit a 3 run homer. Dodgers win.
No.
Yes Garvey should be in the hall. How many guys are in that don’t have the numbers he has. By the way how is Tommy John not in the hall. In recent years look at the pitchers that have been inducted and the don’t hold a candle to TJ. Garvey is a YES
He does belong in the HOF. He was a outstanding ball player never missed a game played in over 1200 straight games . A great clutch hitter both in the play- offs and WS and had outstanding stats in both Los Angeles and San Diego!
Should have been in years ago.
A damn shame Garvey is not in The Hall already. The man had a long, productive career, and was involved in multiple World Series. One of the best defensive 1st basemen ever, and great clutch hitter. Vote him in!
Let’s make it happen , he certainly has the numbers and played on a few World Champ teams!, Thanks
In my most humble opinion, I think Steve Garvey deserves to be in Cooperstown. He had (6) 200 hit seasons. (10)Time All Star(4) Time Gold Glove Award Winner. NL MVP 1974, NLCS MVP 1978 and 1984, 1981 Roberto Clemente Award Winner. He holds the NL record for consecutive games played(1,207) NL All Star MVP 1974 and 1978. (6) Time Silver Slugger Award Winner. Steve Garvey was”Pretty Good”
He belongs in Cooperstown for sure
We shouldn’t even be debating this issue. It’s a shame, he should’ve been in years ago.
100 percent
How can the baseball hall of fame consider itself relevant without Steve Garvey being inducted into It?
I mean he dominated his position for 15 yrs and was 162 game Iron Man with consecutive game streak every seems to forget about. Best player on the Dodgers 1970s Championship teams – played in multiple World Series , multiple gold gloves . Great ambassador for the game . Am I missing something ? Hall of fame is a joke until Garvey is inducted. Get this man the recognition he deserves !!