Steve Garvey

Steve Garvey
Birthdate 12/22/1948
Death Date
Debut Year 1969
Year of Induction
Teams Dodgers, Padres
Position First Base

Would you put Steve Garvey in the Hall of Fame? He’s a ten-time All Star with six Silver Slugger Awards, four Gold Gloves, and an MVP. 

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Ten-time All Star Steve Garvey had a long and productive big league career

Ten-time All Star Steve Garvey had a long and productive big league career

Baseball seemed to point Steve Garvey toward the Los Angeles Dodgers long before his professional debut. During spring training from 1956 through 1961, Garvey worked as a Dodgers bat boy and absorbed the game around veteran stars. That early connection with the organization later made him a natural fit in Dodger blue. Athletic ability followed him ev...
The Dodgers record-setting infield that played together for 8 1/2 years starting on 6/23/1973

The Dodgers record-setting infield that played together for 8 1/2 years starting on 6/23/1973

The Los Angeles Dodgers built a remarkable foundation around Ron Cey, Bill Russell, Davey Lopes and Steve Garvey . Together, they formed the longest-running infield in major league history and gave fans nearly a decade of continuity. The quartet first shared the field on June 23, 1973, during the second game of a doubleheader against the Cincinnati ...
Garvey had 200 or more hits in six of seven seasons starting in 1974

Garvey had 200 or more hits in six of seven seasons starting in 1974

From 1974 through 1980, Steve Garvey produced one of baseball’s steadiest offensive runs. He collected at least 200 hits in six of those seven seasons and rarely cooled off at the plate. During that stretch, Garvey hit .311 while averaging more than 30 doubles, 22 homers, and 104 RBI yearly. His 130 OPS+ reflected production far above league averag...
Behind NL MVP Garvey the Dodgers won 102 games and the 1974 League pennant

Behind NL MVP Garvey the Dodgers won 102 games and the 1974 League pennant

The 1974 season launched Steve Garvey into baseball’s national spotlight and began a remarkable All-Star streak. He earned the first of 10 Major League Baseball All-Star Game selections with relentless production at the plate. By season’s end, Garvey piled up 200 hits, 35 doubles, 21 home runs, and 111 RBI. Gold Glove defense strengthened his val...
Steve Garvey made the most of his first postseason series in the 1974 NLCS against the Pirates

Steve Garvey made the most of his first postseason series in the 1974 NLCS against the Pirates

October baseball suited Steve Garvey from the moment he first stepped into it. Across a 19-year career, he played in 11 postseason series and built a reputation for timely production. His first October action came during the 1974 National League Championship Series against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Garvey responded by hitting .389 with a .421 on-base p...
In 1977 Steve Garvey was part of baseball's first quartet of 30-HR teammates

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 he...
In 1978 Garvey was selected for his fifth-straight All Star Game; his performance earned him the MVP

In 1978 Garvey was selected for his fifth-straight All Star Game; his performance earned him the MVP

The 1978 season brought another spotlight moment for Steve Garvey, and he seized it completely. That summer, he earned his fifth straight trip to the Major League Baseball All-Star Game and arrived in peak form. Early trouble put the National League behind 3-1 before Garvey stepped into the batter’s box during the third inning. He lined a clutch hi...
Garvey won his only World Series title for the 1981 Los Angeles Dodgers

Garvey won his only World Series title for the 1981 Los Angeles Dodgers

Heartbreak fueled Steve Garvey entering the 1981 season with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Fall Classic losses to the Oakland Athletics in 1974 and the New York Yankees in 1977 and 1978 still lingered. When the regular season hit, Los Angeles exploded from the gate, winning its first six games and racing to a 14-5 April record. By early June, rooki...
After 14 years in the Dodger organization, Garvey signed a 5-year $6.6M contract with San Diego

After 14 years in the Dodger organization, Garvey signed a 5-year $6.6M contract with San Diego

Few players connected with Los Angeles Dodgers fans like Steve Garvey. The club selected him in the first round of the 1968 draft, and he spent the next 14 seasons wearing Dodger blue. Garvey became a franchise cornerstone through durability, production, and postseason success that energized Los Angeles throughout the 1970s. After the 1982 season, ho...
With Garvey the Padres slowly assembled a pennant-winning roster

With Garvey the Padres slowly assembled a pennant-winning roster

The San Diego Padres reshaped their future before the 1983 season by signing Steve Garvey away from Los Angeles. Management didn’t stop with one headline move, either. General manager Jack McKeon built a veteran core around a wave of rising homegrown talent. Young pitchers Eric Show and Andy Hawkins brought power arms and confidence to the rotation...
Garvey's 5 RBI and walk-off homer in Game 4  against the Cubs in '84 made him the NLCS MVP

Garvey's 5 RBI and walk-off homer in Game 4 against the Cubs in '84 made him the NLCS MVP

October baseball always seemed to sharpen Steve Garvey. He owned a .338 postseason average with 11 homers and a powerful .910 OPS across 55 playoff games. That experience proved invaluable when the San Diego Padres reached the postseason for the first time in franchise history. San Diego stumbled immediately, dropping the first two National League Ch...
Steve Garvey's Cooperstown candidacy now rests with the Veterans Committee

Steve Garvey's Cooperstown candidacy now rests with the Veterans Committee

During his playing days, Steve Garvey looked destined for the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. Fans saw durability, postseason success, MVP honors, and a long run of All-Star appearances. He carried himself like a franchise cornerstone and delivered steady production for nearly two decades. Many around baseball expected Cooperstown to call ...
In 2019 Garvey was part of the inaugural class of Legends of Dodger Baseball

In 2019 Garvey was part of the inaugural class of Legends of Dodger Baseball

Some stars become inseparable from a franchise even without reaching the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. The Los Angeles Dodgers created the Legends of Dodger Baseball honor in 2019 for players who shaped team history. That first class featured Don Newcombe, Fernando Valenzuela, and Steve Garvey. Long before becoming a star, Garvey worked ...

A Story about Steve Garvey

Many call it the greatest draft in the history of pro sports

August 20th, 2015 Leave a comment

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 […]

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15 responses to “Steve Garvey”

  1. Char Cashman says:

    Absolutely! He belongs in the HOF!

  2. Dee Cooper says:

    Most definitely! He’s always been a great 1st baseman my favorite

  3. Michael Sayers says:

    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.

  4. Greg says:

    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

  5. Haight says:

    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!

  6. Corb says:

    Should have been in years ago.

  7. 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!

  8. Dick Haight says:

    Let’s make it happen , he certainly has the numbers and played on a few World Champ teams!, Thanks

  9. Greg Forte says:

    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”

  10. Tom says:

    He belongs in Cooperstown for sure

  11. Phillip Corbin says:

    We shouldn’t even be debating this issue. It’s a shame, he should’ve been in years ago.

  12. james raia says:

    100 percent

  13. Muscles McNasal says:

    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 !!

  14. Bob Malloy says:

    Steve Garvey not being in the HOF and his WAR score are literally the reason I no longer have any regard for the HOF or WAR. What an embarrassment he isn’t honored there. I hope it’s not for political reasons but there is no other discernable reason. Even by the strictest standards, the man is a Hall of Famer.

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