SENATE RESOLUTION HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF BASEBALL ICON DAVEY LOPES AND EXPRESSING SYMPATHY ON HIS PASSING

S3218

2026 -- S 3218
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LC006335
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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026
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S E N A T E R E S O L U T I O N
HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF BASEBALL ICON DAVEY LOPES AND
EXPRESSING SYMPATHY ON HIS PASSING

Introduced By:
Senator Valarie J. Lawson

Date Introduced:
April 14, 2026

Referred To:
Placed on the Senate Consent Calendar
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WHEREAS, It is with deep sorrow that this Senate has learned of the passing of Davey
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Lopes, a legendary figure in Major League Baseball and a proud native of Rhode Island; and
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WHEREAS, David Earl Lopes, born on May 3, 1945, in the City of East Providence and
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raised in South Providence, rose from humble beginnings as one of ten children of Mary Rose
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Sylvia to become one of the most accomplished and respected players in professional baseball.
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Lopes was an all-state athlete in baseball and basketball at La Salle Academy before playing in
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college at Iowa Wesleyan University and Washburn University, and later making his Major
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League Baseball debut in 1972; and
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WHEREAS, Davey Lopes enjoyed a distinguished 16-year Major League career, playing
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for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Oakland Athletics, Chicago Cubs, and Houston Astros, and was
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widely recognized as one of the premier second basemen and base stealers in the history of the
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game; and
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WHEREAS, As a cornerstone of the Dodgers’ famed infield alongside Steve Garvey,
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Ron Cey, and Bill Russell, Lopes helped define an era of excellence in the 1970s and early 1980s,
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with the group setting a Major League record for games played together; and
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WHEREAS, In 1975, he led all of Major League Baseball with 77 stolen bases and set a
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then-record by successfully stealing 38 consecutive bases without being caught, further
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cementing his legacy as one of the game’s most dynamic players; and
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WHEREAS, Renowned for his speed and intelligence on the basepaths, Lopes stole 557

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bases during his career, ranking among the top base stealers in Major League history, and
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achieved an exceptional success rate of over 83 percent—surpassing even legends such as Rickey
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Henderson and Lou Brock; and
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WHEREAS, In addition to his offensive prowess, Lopes was an outstanding defensive
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player, earning a Gold Glove Award in 1978, and was named team captain of the Dodgers in
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1977 in recognition of his leadership both on and off the field; and
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WHEREAS, A four-time All-Star from 1978 through 1981, Lopes was a key contributor
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to the Dodgers’ success, appearing in four World Series and helping lead the franchise to a
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championship victory in 1981; and
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WHEREAS, Following his playing career, Davey Lopes devoted decades to the game as
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a coach and manager, including serving as manager of the Milwaukee Brewers and contributing
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as a coach to a World Series championship with the Philadelphia Phillies in 2008, ultimately
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spending nearly 45 consecutive years in professional baseball; and
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WHEREAS, In recognition of his enduring impact and as a source of pride for the local
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community, the Davey Lopes Recreation Center in the City of Providence was built and named in
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his honor, and continues to serve as a vital community resource providing recreational
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opportunities and youth programming, thereby carrying forward his legacy of inspiring future
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generations; and
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WHEREAS, Davey Lopes passed away in his hometown after complications due to
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Parkinson’s disease, leaving behind a legacy of perseverance, excellence, and dedication to the
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sport he loved; and
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WHEREAS, He will be deeply missed by his loving family, including his siblings Jean,
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Judith, John, Mary, Nina, and Patrick; his cherished children Vanessa, James, and David Jr.; and
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his five grandchildren, as well as by generations of friends, fans, teammates, and players who
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benefited from his mentorship and example. He was predeceased by his siblings Betty, Vincent,
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and Michael; now, therefore be it
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RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island hereby expresses its deepest
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condolences on the passing of Davey Lopes and honors his extraordinary life, remarkable career,
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and enduring contributions to the game of baseball; and be it further
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RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to
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transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to the family of Davey Lopes.
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LC006335
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