By BRENDAN McGAIR

Sports writer

He subsequently played for the Oakland Athletics (1982-84), Chicago Cubs (1984-86) and Houston Astros (1986-87) after departing Los Angeles (1972-81).
That’s only the tip of the iceberg. Did you know Lopes, primarily a leadoff hitter in his career, set a MLB record by stealing 38 consecutive bases without getting caught, a mark that stood for 24 years?
If the diamond exploits of 64-year-old David Earl Lopes are somewhat foreign to you, this is a prime chance to understand just what type of career he had as a player and is continuing to enjoy as a top-flight first base coach.

Brendan McGair: Do you think Rhode Islanders understand what you’ve accomplished in close to four decades in baseball?
Davey Lopes: Honestly? No, and I’m being honest. I’ve had some (local) write-ups during the course of my years. But overall, not nearly as much as guys who have had lesser careers that came from Rhode Island that seemed to get a little more attention than what I did when I was playing. That’s understandable; it is what it is.
I’m not going to worry about something like that, but sometimes you aren’t recognized in your home area as you are in other areas, for whatever reason.

BM: Do you think your career would have been perceived differently if it had unfolded the way today’s media chronicles every detail?
DL: Not really. I got a lot of publicity and was fairly well known no matter where I went. Maybe in my home city I would liked to have gotten a little more attention, but my career was rewarding. I played in a major market in Los Angeles for a lot of years and was fortunate in that respect.

BM: You were on the field the night Reggie Jackson cracked three home runs in the ’77 World Series. What was that like from your vantage point?
DL: Painful [laughs]. You’re like ‘Wow that’s a tremendous feat,’ but it’s coming from the opposition, so you’re not very happy about it. You respect the fact he did it, but you naturally you don’t like it.

BM: You were part of the longest running infield with the Dodgers, forging a partnership with first baseman Steve Garvey, shortstop Bill Russell and third baseman Ron Cey that lasted 8 ½ seasons. Do you think that type of continuity can exist in today’s game, and last for that long?
DL: It would be very difficult because it would likely be a major portion of their payroll. A lot of times teams will not pay for individuals collectively the kind of money free agency would. Usually one of those infielders is traded before becoming a free agent, so basically it’s an economical move.

BM: You were a centerfielder all the way up to Triple-A in the Dodgers’ organization, then Tommy Lasorda made a recommendation that your career would benefit if you moved to second base.
DL: I thought Tommy was nuts, but at the time the Dodgers had a tremendous amount of outfield depth. It all worked out great; Tommy has a keen eye and recognized something not even I could. He was very important in the development of my career.
 
BM: Your official title since joining the Phillies [in 2007] is first base coach. Could you tell us some of your duties on a day-to-day basis?
DL: I set the defense for the outfield, which depends on the team we’re playing in a particular series.

BM: What does the purpose of the stopwatch hanging from your neck serve when we see you standing next to Philadelphia skipper Charlie Manuel in the dugout?
DL: The watch is primarily used to time pitchers and their delivery to the plate. Once I get a reading on how fast or slow he is to the plate, I also factor in the catcher’s throwing ability. I add them together, then see if the runner on first base has the speed to beat the combination of the pitch and throw.

BM: Do you have a specific time in mind that allows the baserunners the liberty to pick and choose when they attempt to steal?
DL: I would say the speed guys can steal successfully anything under 1.4 [seconds]. For the guys a little slower, we look for 1.5-1.6 seconds. It’s mainly predicated on how much speed the runner has.
Some pitchers are real quick and you can’t attempt to steal without knowing that the percentage [of getting caught] is going to be high. We try and eliminate [the pitcher’s advantage] as much as we can.

BM: Would you say this type of strategizing is a fairly new phenomenon?
DL: The first time I heard of timing pitchers was back in 1982, when I was with Oakland. There was a guy telling me about pitcher’s times and I was like ‘What are you talking about?’ I would just go with rhythm when I was on base. When the guy explained to me about the times, it made sense.  
I don’t think it’s new; each team’s scouting reports will include pitcher’s times. Where I take it to a different level is recognizing keys. The scouts sitting in the stands can’t see what I see when I’m standing at first base.

BM: The Phillies have led the National League in stolen base percentage in all three seasons you’ve been there. Coincidence?
DL: When I came into play, Charlie gave me the liberty to handle the running game, which not a lot of managers will do. He trusted my ability not to run us out of innings. In three years our success ratio has averaged 85 percent, which is pretty darn good.

BM: You’re around bona fide stars such as Jimmy Rollins, Ryan Howard and Chase Utley. What are these guys like?
DL: We have two guys (Rollins, Howard) who have already been MVPs and another guy at second base (Utley) that someday before his career is out will win one. Not many teams have three MVP-caliber players on their ball club, but that’s just the beginning. Jayson Werth, Shane Victorino and Raul Ibanez are in the outfield, and collectively those three are just as good as any in baseball, both offensively and defensively.
It’s a very talented group. Not just physically, but they’re also tough [mentally]; they don’t beat themselves. No matter what kind of adversity they face, it doesn’t bother them. We gave away [Game 2 of the NLCS against the Dodgers] and the next day it’s like it never happened.

BM: Prior to this season Ryan Howard was regarded as an all-or-nothing hitter. That is he would either produce tape measure homers or strike out. Judging by his October results to date, that’s no longer the case.
DL: The expectations are so high for Ryan, whether it comes from himself or the media. This is a guy that has averaged 40 home runs and 120 RBI since coming to the bigs. He came into camp 20 pounds lighter and his defense improved 100 percent. He’s more of a complete player than he was the past few seasons.

BM: You were a teammate of Rickey Henderson in Oakland, which happens to be Jimmy Rollins’ hometown and favorite player growing up. Did you steer any of Rickey’s tricks of the stolen base trade toward Jimmy?
DL: Every guy has their own style. Rickey is someone Jimmy idolized, but Jimmy is very talented. Even though he got that big hit for us [game-winning hit in Game 4 of the NLCS], he hasn’t been playing well. He sets the tone when he plays like he is capable.
BM: Another former teammate of yours, Mike Scioscia from your tenure with the Dodgers, has thrived in his post-career occupation of skippering the Angels. Could you forecast that someday he would manage in the big leagues?
DL: You don’t think of those types of things when you’re trying to win games. You don’t start thinking until you’re out of the game or near the end. If you’re fortunate to get a managerial job, it’s a plus added on to your resume, so to speak.
I knew Mike was a very intelligent defensive player, which in hindsight is the type of thing you want to see in a manager.

BM: Could you set the mood on how the tide has changed with baseball fans in Philadelphia over the last year?
DL: Very passionate fan base … they expect a lot and in the past three years they have expected us to win. A lot of teams don’t like to come here because the fans will razz them. They have a part in what we’ve done.

BM: Who is the most impressive player you called ‘teammate?’
DL: Probably Rickey Henderson. He could do anything exceptionally well.

BM: What player caught your eye growing up?
DL: I was a Red Sox fan and used to love watching Ted Williams hit; arguably the greatest hitter ever to put on a uniform.
My National League team was the Brooklyn Dodgers mainly because of the opportunities they afforded minorities. I was sad when the Dodgers left for LA.

BM: What did you take away from your two-plus years managing in Milwaukee? [Note: Lopes was fired 15 games into the 2002 season after compiling a 144-195 record]
DL: Not much. It wasn’t an enjoyable situation. I was lucky to get an opportunity, but it’s not fun when you’re constantly losing and don’t have the personnel you’d like to. It’s very stressful and not rewarding.

BM: Do you get to come back to Rhode Island much?
DL: I come home every winter and several times during the season. All my family is still there; I have nine brothers and sisters.

BM: What was your favorite sport when attending La Salle Academy?
DL: Basketball. I played against Jimmy Walker in summer leagues. To me he’s the best player ever to put on a PC uniform.

BM: It must be hard to nail down your favorite baseball moment.
DL:  Really hard. I got a lot of enjoyment from winning the World Series last year, more so than when I was playing. The first night I stepped on the field in Dodger Stadium (Sept. 22, 1972), I felt I achieved the goal I aspired to. That was very emotional for me.