Steve Garvey was an American professional baseball first baseman and outfielder who spent the majority of his career playing for the Los Angeles Dodgers. He played in Major League Baseball from 1969 to 1987, spending his first 14 seasons with the Dodgers before also playing for the San Diego Padres. Garvey established himself as one of the top offensive players of the 1970s and 80s, making over 10 All-Star teams and winning the National League MVP award in 1974. His consistent production and leadership made him one of the most popular Dodgers players of his era and his baseball cards from that time remain some of the most iconic from the 1970s.
Garvey was born in Tampa, Florida in 1948 and grew up a Dodgers fan. He attended Michigan State University where he was a star first baseman for the Spartans baseball team. The Dodgers selected Garvey in the 3rd round of the 1968 MLB Draft and he made his major league debut with LA the following year in 1969 at age 21. Garvey’s rookie cards from 1969 are among the more common early issues of his career but still hold value for Dodgers collectors. In his first few seasons, Garvey split time between first base and left field as he adjusted to major league pitching. His 1971 and 1972 Topps baseball cards show him in both positions as he continued to develop.
It was in 1973 that Garvey truly broke out, batting .280 with 17 home runs and 95 RBI while playing in all 162 games at first base. This established consistency earned him his first All-Star nod and Topps captured it on his 1973 baseball card, depicting him in the process of swinging the bat. 1974 would be Garvey’s career-year as he put together an MVP caliber season, batting .312 with 23 home runs and 115 RBI. For his efforts, Garvey was named the 1974 National League MVP. Topps commemorated Garvey’s MVP campaign on his 1974 baseball card, which is now regarded as one of the most iconic of his entire career due to his MVP status at the time.
Following his MVP season, Garvey remained one of baseball’s most durable and productive players throughout the mid-1970s. He made the All-Star team every season from 1975-1978, continuing to hit for a high average and drive in runs consistently. Topps captured Garvey’s excellence during this peak period on cards from 1975-1978, all of which remain popular with collectors today. In addition to his on-field performance, Garvey also took on a leadership role with the Dodgers. His calm and professional demeanor made him a fan favorite in Los Angeles and all across the National League. At the same time, Garvey also cultivated a squeaky clean image that made him a popular spokesperson and role model off the field.
This combination of on-field production and high character led to Garvey receiving the prestigious Lou Gehrig Memorial Award in 1977, given annually to the MLB player who best exemplifies the impressively consistent level of play and integrity that Gehrig displayed throughout his career. Topps acknowledged Garvey’s receipt of this award on his 1977 baseball card. He remained with the Dodgers through the 1977 season, having established himself as one of the franchise’s all-time greats. In 14 seasons with Los Angeles, Garvey batted .294 with 184 home runs and 1,079 RBI. Following 1977 Garvey surprised many by signing a lucrative free agent contract to join the San Diego Padres for the 1978 season.
Garvey’s first season with the Padres in 1978 saw him named an All-Star for the 10th and final time. Topps captured his first year in San Diego on his 1978 Padres card, which remains a key issue for both Dodgers and Padres collectors. While with San Diego, Garvey continued hitting for a high average and was a leader on and off the field. He helped the Padres to the 1984 World Series, where they lost to the Detroit Tigers. Garvey played his final MLB season in 1987 at age 39, splitting time between the Padres and Dodgers once more before retiring. In total, he hit .294 with 272 home runs and 1,308 RBI over 19 big league seasons.
Since retiring as a player, Garvey has remained a popular figure in the baseball memorabilia market. His 1970s Dodgers cards, especially those from his MVP 1974 season, routinely sell for hundreds or even thousands of dollars in high grades. Even his later 1970s and 1980s Padres issues retain value due to Garvey’s enduring popularity. In terms of condition, a near mint or better example of Garvey’s 1974 Topps card in particular is highly sought after, as it captures him at the peak of his career when he was the National League’s top player. Beyond just their extensive documentation of Garvey’s career on the Dodgers and Padres, his vintage baseball cards also stir nostalgia for many fans who grew up watching him in the 1970s and 80s. As one of the true greats of his era, Steve Garvey’s baseball cards remain an iconic reminder of his excellence.
