Rhode Island native and baseball legend Davey Lopes dead at 80

EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Major League Baseball is mourning the loss of Davey Lopes, an East Providence, Rhode Island native, who passed away at the age of 80 following a battle with Parkinson’s disease.

Lopes grew up in East Providence and attended La Salle Academy in Providence before going on to become one of the most accomplished athletes to ever come out of Rhode Island.

He went on to star with the Los Angeles Dodgers, earning four All-Star selections and helping lead the team to a World Series title in 1981. Known for his speed, Lopes became one of the top base stealers in MLB history, finishing his career with 557 stolen bases.

He was also part of one of baseball’s most iconic infields alongside Steve Garvey, Ron Cey, and Bill Russell, a group that helped define an era for the Dodgers.

After his playing career, Lopes remained in the game as a coach and mentor, continuing to shape the sport for decades.

From East Providence to the highest level of baseball, Lopes’ legacy remains one of the greatest to ever come out of Rhode Island.