Oct 10, 2008; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Brett Myers celebrates with first base coach Davey Lopes after hitting a single driving in two runs in the third inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers during game two of the NLCS at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: James Lang-USA TODAY Sports James Lang-US PRESSWIRE
Davey Lopes — who was both a villain and a hero in Phillies lore — has passed away at age 80, the Los Angeles Dodgers announced Wednesday afternoon:
The Dodgers mourn the loss of Davey Lopes, who passed away today at age 80. Lopes was a member of the team’s record-setting infield of the 1970s and 1980s and one of the finest basestealers in MLB history. Our condolences go out to his family and friends. pic.twitter.com/dJkOk0CWbP
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) April 8, 2026
Lopes spent the first decade of his playing career with the Dodgers. From a Phillies perspective, his most notable moment with the Dodgers came when he reached first base on a Mike Schmidt fielding mistake in Game 3 of the 1977 NLCS, allowing the tying run to cross the plate in the ninth inning of a game that's since infamously been referring to as "Black Friday":
Following a 16-year playing career that saw him swipe 557 bags, Lopes got into coaching. He was the manager of the Milwaukee Brewers from 2000-2002, although his most notable coaching job might have been as the first base coach for Charlie Manuel from 2007-2010. During that period, the Phillies won four consecutive NL East titles, two NL pennants and the 2008 World Series, with Lopes helping to maximize the speed of players like Jimmy Rollins, Shane Victorino, Chase Utley and Jayson Werth.
Lopes most recently served as the first base coach for the Washington Nationals from 2016-2017, working under Dusty Baker. During that period, he coached both Bryce Harper and Trea Turner.
OnPattison sends our condolences to friends and family of Lopes at this time.
