Davey Lopes will reportedly be hired by the Dodgers as a coach, according to a tweet by Bob Nightengale of USA Today. Presumable Lopes would be the Dodgers first base coach, a position he held for the last four seasons with the Phillies. Lopes, a second baseman and leadoff hitter for the Dodgers from 1972-1981, ranks second in Dodgers franchise history with 418 stolen bases. The hiring of Lopes would finalize the yet-to-be-announced Dodger coaching staff under new manager Don Mattingly.
Lopes, who managed the Milwaukee Brewers from 2000-2002, has been on a major league coaching staff every year since 1988. Lopes has coached for the Texas Rangers, Baltimore Orioles, San Diego Padres, Washington Nationals, and the Phillies. With the Phillies, Lopes was the first base coach but also served as an outfield coach and was in charge of the team's baserunning. Under Lopes' tutelage, the Phillies led the National League in stolen base percentage each of the last four seasons in addition to being no lower than fourth in the league in total steals.
The Dodgers are expected to announce their coaching staff in the next few days.
For more Dodgers news and information, be sure to read True Blue LA.