Davey Lopes, the fleet-footed second baseman and longtime coach who helped define a generation of Dodgers baseball, has died at 80 in Rhode Island. Lopes passed away after a battle with Parkinson's disease, according to TMZ. Over a 16-season major league career, he was a four-time All-Star, a Gold Glove winner, and a two-time World Series champion.
TMZ reports Lopes had been receiving hospice care before being transferred to a hospital in Rhode Island, where he died surrounded by family. The outlet published its report on April 8, 2026. According to MLB.com, Lopes retired with 557 stolen bases, 1,671 hits, and a .263 career batting average, and he spent 10 seasons with the Los Angeles Dodgers. He leaves behind a reputation as one of the game's most efficient baserunners and a long post-playing career spent teaching others how to take the extra base.
Career and rise
Lopes took the slow road to the big leagues, arriving in the majors in his late 20s and using speed and savvy to carve out a 16-year run, as outlined by SABR. He became a fixture in Los Angeles through the 1970s and early 1980s as part of the infield that included Steve Garvey, Ron Cey, and Bill Russell, a quartet that helped the Dodgers win the 1981 World Series. Fans remember him for his steals, his gritty, headfirst style of play, and his sharp defensive positioning at second base.
From coach to manager
When his playing days ended, Lopes shifted to the dugout. He worked as a coach for several clubs, including the Orioles, Padres, Phillies, and Dodgers, before landing a three-year deal to manage the Milwaukee Brewers beginning in 2000. He posted a 73-89 record in his first season and was dismissed after a rough start to the 2002 campaign, according to ESPN. Later in his career, he returned to first-base coaching roles and became widely regarded as a baserunning guru, a reputation highlighted in reporting from The Washington Post.
Legacy
Born in East Providence, Rhode Island, Lopes maintained strong ties to his home state. The City of Providence lists the Davey Lopes Recreation Center among its facilities, a sign of the local impact that paralleled his national baseball profile. Tributes and remembrances from players, coaches, and fans will likely follow as teams and family release statements. We will update this story with official notices and additional context as they become available.
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