Editorials

This Day In Dodgers History: Steve Sax Wins Rookie Of The Year

Steve Sax

Although they’ve somewhat gotten away from it within the last decade or so, the Los Angeles Dodgers have a long history of developing talent from within.



After debuting with the Dodgers in 1981 but playing in just 31 games, Steve Sax added his name to the impressive group of home-grown Dodgers. In his first full season with the team, Sax replaced Davey Lopes at second base and played his way to an All-Star bid.

Sax finished the season batting .282 with 47 RBIs, 49 stolen bases, and on Nov. 22, 1982, was named NL Rookie of the Year. He was the Dodgers’ fourth straight Rookie of the Year after Rick Sutcliffe began the streak in 1979, and was followed by Steve Howe (1980) and Fernando Valenzuela (1981).

The four consecutive winners would be the longest in franchise history if it weren’t for Eric Karros winning the first of five straight in 1992. After winning Rookie of the Year, Sax went on to play six more seasons with the Dodgers with his final one coming as part of the World Series team in 1988.

Sax then joined the New York Yankees for three seasons, spent two years with the Chicago White Sox and a brief stint with the Oakland A’s in 1994 before retiring. In his eight seasons with the Dodgers, Sax played in 1,091 games, which ranks sixth all-time among Dodger second baseman, batted .282, and accumulated 1,218 hits and 333 RBIs.

Staff Writer

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