Former Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Steve Garvey was honored at Dodger Stadium this season, officially being named to the inaugural “Legends of Dodger Baseball” class.
He joined Don Newcombe as the second inductee, who was previously honored in April. Fernando Valenzuela was the final franchise icon to be immortalized this year.
Garvey was appreciative of the ceremony and called it a “tremendous honor” to be associated with the likes of Newcombe and Valenzuela in franchise lore.
Garvey now has his sights on another milestone — finally receiving enough votes to be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. Such will only be possible if his name is included on the 2019 Modern Era ballot.
Garvey hopes that is the case and he is afforded another opportunity to potentially fulfill a longtime goal of his, per Cary Osborne of Dodger Insider:
“It’s been a journey toward the Hall of Fame being on the ballot every other year now,” Garvey said. “I thought last time would be the time, but for whatever reason with the last selection (by an Era Committee) more people are saying let’s really do what we should do with Steve Garvey’s career and take time to look at the body of work. And I think more people are doing that. And God willing, I’ll be on the ballot in December, and they’ll vote at the Owners’ Meeting and maybe, just maybe.”
Garvey was featured on the traditional Baseball Writers’ Hall of Fame ballot for 15 years, receiving a personal-best 42.6% of the vote in 1995. Players are only permitted induction should they reach the required 75%.
Garvey was eventually removed from the ballot, but players in his position are granted a second chance of getting into the Baseball Hall of Fame via the Modern Era ballot. He was included on such in 2017, but again ultimately fell short of the necessary votes.
Garvey played 14 of his 19 Major League seasons with the Dodgers. He ranks among the all-time Los Angeles franchise leaders in hits (1,968; second), doubles (333; first), home runs (211; third), RBI (992; first) and games played (1,727; third).
Garvey was named MVP of the 1978 NL Championship Series and received recognition for his work in the community as the 1981 winner of the Roberto Clemente Award. He additionally holds the NL record with 1,207 consecutive games played.
