On June 23, 1978, the Dodgers lost against the Cincinnati Reds 4-1. The manager, Walter Alston, wanted to change the line up and asked utility infielder Steve Garvey if he ever played first. Garvey lied and said, “Oh, sure.” So, that night, he was lined up with Ron Cey, Bill Russell, and Davey Lopes.
For the next eight and a half years, the Dodgers infield line up barely changed. The infield quartet went on to make four National League pennants, 21 All-Star Game appearances, and made a 1981 World Series title playing side by side.
The famous four gained many accomplishments throughout their careers. Russell made the Midsummer Classic in 1973, 1976, and 1980. Cey went to six All-Star Games from 1974 to 1979. Lopes was a rookie of the year finalist in 1973, a Gold Glove winner in 1978, and a four-time All-Star.
Garvey, the player who started the legendary infield line up with his small lie, was probably the most accomplished out of the quartet. Not only was he a four-time Gold Glove winner, he also won a NL Most Valuable Player award in 1974. He also appeared in eight consecutive All-Star games through 1981.
“When you look at the accomplishments, the longevity, the contribution to the Dodger organization and baseball,” Garvey said, “all four of us have taken a lot of pride in it.”
Last Friday, the legendary infield was honored before the Dodgers played against the Houston Astros at Dodgers Stadium. Garvey, Cey, and Russell were in attendance to throw out the first pitch and watch a video tribute.
The infielders cherished the moment standing together on their home field, just like they did for almost a decade. “It’s just like your family,” Russell said. “We didn’t take anything for granted back then. You had to be successful to be together that long.”
Without Garvey’s harmless little lie, this iconic quartet would not have been here.
Link to article:
https://eb18600f7bb2916037f5ee8e636ce199.cdn.bubble.io/f1687708004360x893342546479498600/How%20a%20harmless%20lie%20created%20an%20iconic%20Dodgers%20infield%20-%20Los%20Angeles%20Times.pdf
For the next eight and a half years, the Dodgers infield line up barely changed. The infield quartet went on to make four National League pennants, 21 All-Star Game appearances, and made a 1981 World Series title playing side by side.
The famous four gained many accomplishments throughout their careers. Russell made the Midsummer Classic in 1973, 1976, and 1980. Cey went to six All-Star Games from 1974 to 1979. Lopes was a rookie of the year finalist in 1973, a Gold Glove winner in 1978, and a four-time All-Star.
Garvey, the player who started the legendary infield line up with his small lie, was probably the most accomplished out of the quartet. Not only was he a four-time Gold Glove winner, he also won a NL Most Valuable Player award in 1974. He also appeared in eight consecutive All-Star games through 1981.
“When you look at the accomplishments, the longevity, the contribution to the Dodger organization and baseball,” Garvey said, “all four of us have taken a lot of pride in it.”
Last Friday, the legendary infield was honored before the Dodgers played against the Houston Astros at Dodgers Stadium. Garvey, Cey, and Russell were in attendance to throw out the first pitch and watch a video tribute.
The infielders cherished the moment standing together on their home field, just like they did for almost a decade. “It’s just like your family,” Russell said. “We didn’t take anything for granted back then. You had to be successful to be together that long.”
Without Garvey’s harmless little lie, this iconic quartet would not have been here.
Link to article:
https://eb18600f7bb2916037f5ee8e636ce199.cdn.bubble.io/f1687708004360x893342546479498600/How%20a%20harmless%20lie%20created%20an%20iconic%20Dodgers%20infield%20-%20Los%20Angeles%20Times.pdf
