INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — Former Dodger great Steve Garvey returns to Historic Dodgertown this week, as a proud parent whose son is playing in Historic Dodgertown’s All-Star Classic Baseball Tournament.
For Sean Garvey, who enters his senior year of high school this fall, this is his first visit to his famous father’s Spring Training home for nearly 15 years.
For Steve, coming back to Historic Dodgertown is a homecoming.
Steve Garvey was drafted by the Dodgers in 1968, made his major league debut in September 1969 and starred for the Dodgers through the 1982 season. He retired as an active player in 1987 with the San Diego Padres, concluding a prolific 19-year career.
As the team’s first baseman, Steve played for the Dodgers in five World Series, including four with the Dodgers, and was a 10-time National League All-Star. He was a write-in candidate for the 1974 All-Star Game and was named Most Valuable Player of that game. He collected 200 or more hits in a season on six occasions with the Dodgers. He won the Rawlings Gold Glove Award at first base four consecutive seasons (1974-77). An ironman in the lineup, he set a National League record with 1,207 consecutive games played (1975-83).
Garvey was a member of the record-setting Dodger infield. On June 23, 1973, the infield of Garvey, Davey Lopes, Bill Russell and Ron Cey took their respective infield positions and for eight and one-half seasons anchored the Dodger infield. That record still holds today.
Garvey last visited Historic Dodgertown in 2014, as a member of the Adult Baseball Fantasy Camp. His son Ryan joined him at the camp.
This week Steve and Sean are enjoying their visit, and Steve is offering pointers to the tournament’s participants. Sean attends the Army-Navy Academy in Carlsbad, Calif., and plays third, first and pitches. Last year he pitched a CIF no-hitter and was named a San Diego County Athlete of the Week.
The All-Star Classic offers boys 18-and-under an additional summer’s end tournament experience at Historic Dodgertown’s major-league designed complex.
For more information on Historic Dodgertown, please visit www.historicdodgertown.com.
