Steven Patrick Garvey is a former professional baseball player. He played first base in Major League Baseball, most notably for the Los Angeles Dodgers and later for the San Diego Padres. He won the 1974 National League Most Valuable Player Award, is a two-time National League Championship Series MVP (1978 and 1984), a 10-time All-Star, and a two-time MVP of the All-Star Game (1974 and 1978), and holds the National League record for consecutive games played (1,207).
Garvey spent eight years as a key member of the Los Angeles Dodgers infield, which included Davey Lopes, Bill Russell, and Ron Cey. He is recognized for his contribution to the longest-standing and most successful infield in Major League Baseball's history, leading the Dodgers to a World Series title in 1981. Later in his career, Garvey signed with the San Diego Padres in December 1982, a move that further enriched his career. In 1984, he helped the Padres reach their first World Series.
Known for his defensive skills, Garvey holds the record for the highest career fielding percentage by a first baseman and is the only player in baseball history to have an errorless season at first base. He was awarded the Gold Glove four times from 1974 to 1977. In honor of his achievements, the San Diego Padres retired his #6 in 1988.
Outside of his baseball career, Garvey has an extensive record of achievements as a businessman, philanthropist, volunteer, and devoted father of seven children. He started Garvey Media Group in 1983, focusing on sports marketing and corporate branding, and later headed Garvey Communications in 1988, primarily involved in television production.
Community service holds a significant place in Garvey's personal life. He succeeded Frank Sinatra as the National Campaign Chairman of the Multiple Sclerosis Society and serves on the Board of Directors for the UCLA Division of Neurosurgery. Moreover, he has been a member of the board of the Baseball Assistance Team since 1990, providing services and financial aid for former MLB players and their families.
Garvey also actively contributes to many causes such as the Special Olympics, Juvenile Diabetes, The Blind Children Center, The Sisters of Carondelet, the Pediatric AIDS Foundation, and the ALS Foundation (Lou Gehrig's Disease). He has held positions on numerous civic committees and corporate boards, earning him several awards including the Lou Gehrig Award for his Contribution to Baseball and Society as well as Major League Baseball's highest honor for humanitarian service, The Roberto Clemente Award. He is also a cancer survivor, having underwent an operation to treat prostate cancer in fall of 2012. Garvey continues to raise awareness for diagnosis and treatment of the disease.
In the recent years, Garvey has ventured into politics and is the Republican candidate for the 2024 United States Senate election in California.
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