The 20 greatest Dodgers of all time, No. 14: Steve Garvey
We recently asked you to list your choices for the 10 greatest Dodgers of all time, and vote you did, as we received an amazing 12,231 ballots. So many people voted that we have decided to expand the list from the top 10 to the top 20. Each weekday at 11 a.m., a new player will be listed as we count down all 20.
Remember, any Dodger, Brooklyn or L.A., was eligible, including managers, owners, announcers, etc. Points were assigned based on where you listed the person on the ballot. Your first choice received 12 points, second choice 10, third place eight, all the way down to one point for 10th place.
So without further ado, here is No. 14:
Steve Garvey (4 first-place votes, 12,080 points)
One of the most beloved Dodgers while he was playing, Steve Garvey checks in as the 14th-greatest Dodger of all time.
Garvey, a first baseman, was an integral part of the longest-lasting infield in baseball history, the Garvey-Lopes-Russell-Cey infield, and is the only member of that infield to make the top 20.
PHOTOS: 20 greatest Dodgers of all time
Garvey played for the Dodgers from 1969 to 1982 and was an eight-time All-Star with the team, winning the All-Star game MVP award in 1974 and 1978. He was also named NL MVP in 1974 as the Dodgers made it to the World Series before losing to Oakland.
Garvey is one of 29 Dodgers to finish with a career batting average higher than .300 with the team (.301). He is also ninth all-time in games played (1,727) for the Dodgers, 11th in runs (852), fifth in hits (1,968), third in doubles (333), sixth in homers (211) and fifth in runs batted in (992).
Although fans loved him during his tenure, Garvey was a polarizing figure among teammates, getting into a highly publicized fistfight with Don Sutton, and also being disliked to some extent by numerous other teammates over the years for what was described as a “phony” attitude and a perceived pandering for fan and media attention. No one questioned his commitment and focus on the field, however.
ALSO:
The 20 greatest Dodgers, No. 20: Don Sutton
The 20 greatest Dodgers, No. 19: Don Newcombe
The 20 greatest Dodgers, No. 18: Zack Wheat
The 20 greatest Dodgers, No. 17: Branch Rickey
The 20 greatest Dodgers, No. 16: Walter Alston
The 20 greatest Dodgers, No. 15: Mike Piazza
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