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Dodger Blue > Dodgers History > This Day In Dodgers History: Steve Garvey, Davey Lopes, Ron Cey & Bill Russell Play First Game As ‘Longest-Running Infield’
Dodgers HistoryFeatured

This Day In Dodgers History: Steve Garvey, Davey Lopes, Ron Cey & Bill Russell Play First Game As ‘Longest-Running Infield’

Matthew Moreno
June 13, 2022
3 Min Read
Los Angeles Dodgers legendary infield of Ron Cey, Bill Russell, Davey Lopes, Stevey Garvey
Los Angeles Dodgers
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On June 13, 1973, the Los Angeles Dodgers lineup included Steve Garvey at first base, Davey Lopes at second base, Ron Cey at third base and Bill Russell playing shortstop in the second game of a doubleheader against the Cincinnati Reds.

A seemingly nondescript game and new Dodgers infield wound up being the start of MLB and franchise history. The quartet played together for the rest of the 1973 season, then eight more in a record that still stands.

Just as improbable as the infield’s run together was how it came to be. Garvey spent two years playing third base but struggled to make throws across the diamond. He was tried in left field and right field before catching on at first base, which created an opportunity for Cey at the hot corner.

Russell and Lopes both began their professional careers before converting to shortstop and second base, respectively.

Russell was first to join the Dodgers organization, as he was selected in the ninth round of the 1966 Draft. Garvey, Lopes and Cey were each picked in the 1968 Draft after initially being taken by other clubs but declining to begin their respective careers.

Garvey, Lopes, Cey and Russell anchored an infield that was part of four National League pennant-winning teams, one World Series title and a slew of All-Star Game appearances. Their final game together came during the 1981 World Series.

It ended in celebration as the Dodgers rallied from losing the first two games to win the next four. In each of the last three games against the New York Yankees, Lopes hit leadoff, followed by Russell, Garvey and Cey.

Lopes was traded that offseason in a move that allowed for Steve Sax to begin his rise. Cey and Garvey remained with the team for another year, and Russell was shifted into a utility role.

Garvey, Lopes, Cey and Russell shattered a record previously held by first baseman Frank Chance, second baseman Johnny Evers, third baseman Harry Steinfeldt and shortstop shortstop Joe Tinker, who played together for the Chicago Cubs from 1906-10.

The Dodgers honored their ‘Longest Running Infield’ in bobblehead form during the 2012 season and invited them to participate in the Old-Timers Game at Dodger Stadium in 2015.

Dodgers infield broken up

The Dodgers’ history-making infield was broken up when Lopes got traded to the Oakland Athletics for Lance Hudson on Feb. 8, 1982.

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TAGGED:Bill RussellDavey LopesLos Angeles DodgersRon CeySteve Garvey
ByMatthew Moreno
Matthew Moreno is a journalist from Whittier, Calif., who is a credentialed reporter and is currently the Executive Editor of DodgerBlue.com and LakersNation.com. In addition to covering Los Angeles Dodgers and Los Angels Lakers, Matthew has a strong passion for keeping up to date with the sneakerhead culture. It began with Michael Jordan and Air Jordan shoes, and has carried over to Kobe Bryant's signature line with Nike. Matthew previously was the lead editor and digital strategist at Dodgers Nation, and the co-editor and lead writer at Reign of Troy, where he covered USC Trojans Football. Matthew graduated from California State Long Beach University with a major in journalism and minor in communications. Contact: matt@mediumlargela.com
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