Honoring the Life and Legacy of Baseball Icon Davey Lopes and Expressing Sympathy on His Passing

WHEREAS, It is with deep sorrow that this Senate has learned of the passing of Davey Lopes, a legendary figure in Major League Baseball and a proud native of Rhode Island; and

WHEREAS, David Earl Lopes, born on May 3, 1945, in the City of East Providence and raised in South Providence, rose from humble beginnings as one of ten children of Mary Rose Sylvia to become one of the most accomplished and respected players in professional baseball. Lopes was an all-state athlete in baseball and basketball at La Salle Academy before playing in college at Iowa Wesleyan University and Washburn University, and later making his Major League Baseball debut in 1972; and

WHEREAS, Davey Lopes enjoyed a distinguished 16-year Major League career, playing for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Oakland Athletics, Chicago Cubs, and Houston Astros, and was widely recognized as one of the premier second basemen and base stealers in the history of the game; and

WHEREAS, As a cornerstone of the Dodgers’ famed infield alongside Steve Garvey, Ron Cey, and Bill Russell, Lopes helped define an era of excellence in the 1970s and early 1980s, with the group setting a Major League record for games played together; and

WHEREAS, In 1975, he led all of Major League Baseball with 77 stolen bases and set a then-record by successfully stealing 38 consecutive bases without being caught, further cementing his legacy as one of the game’s most dynamic players; and

WHEREAS, Renowned for his speed and intelligence on the basepaths, Lopes stole 557 bases during his career, ranking among the top base stealers in Major League history, and achieved an exceptional success rate of over 83 percent—surpassing even legends such as Rickey Henderson and Lou Brock; and

WHEREAS, In addition to his offensive prowess, Lopes was an outstanding defensive player, earning a Gold Glove Award in 1978, and was named team captain of the Dodgers in 1977 in recognition of his leadership both on and off the field; and

WHEREAS, A four-time All-Star from 1978 through 1981, Lopes was a key contributor to the Dodgers’ success, appearing in four World Series and helping lead the franchise to a championship victory in 1981; and

WHEREAS, Following his playing career, Davey Lopes devoted decades to the game as a coach and manager, including serving as manager of the Milwaukee Brewers and contributing as a coach to a World Series championship with the Philadelphia Phillies in 2008, ultimately spending nearly 45 consecutive years in professional baseball; and

WHEREAS, In recognition of his enduring impact and as a source of pride for the local community, the Davey Lopes Recreation Center in the City of Providence was built and named in his honor, and continues to serve as a vital community resource providing recreational opportunities and youth programming, thereby carrying forward his legacy of inspiring future generations; and

WHEREAS, Davey Lopes passed away in his hometown after complications due to Parkinson’s disease, leaving behind a legacy of perseverance, excellence, and dedication to the sport he loved; and

WHEREAS, He will be deeply missed by his loving family, including his siblings Jean, Judith, John, Mary, Nina, and Patrick; his cherished children Vanessa, James, and David Jr.; and his five grandchildren, as well as by generations of friends, fans, teammates, and players who benefited from his mentorship and example. He was predeceased by his siblings Betty, Vincent, and Michael; now, therefore be it

RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island hereby expresses its deepest condolences on the passing of Davey Lopes and honors his extraordinary life, remarkable career, and enduring contributions to the game of baseball; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to the family of Davey Lopes.