Player Profile: Ron Cey

Player notes: Known affectionately to his fans as "Penguin" due to his distinctive running style, Ron Cey was an outstanding third baseman for the Dodgers (and later the Cubs) during the Seventies and early Eighties.  Cey was the third baseman on the longest-running infield in baseball history.  The Dodgers kept their infield of Steve Garvey, Davey Lopes, Bill Russell and Ron Cey intact for nine years, from 1973-1981. 

He put up offensive numbers that were just a shade below Hall of Fame caliber: 316 home runs, 1139 RBI, 1868 hits.  He was also a fine defensive player, though he never won a Gold Glove because his career closely paralleled the great Mike Schmidt.  In fact, I think Cey's reputation suffers greatly due to the fact that he played his entire career in the shadow of the man generally regarded as the greatest all around third baseman ever.  Cey wasn't quite the player Schmidt was, but who was?  The Penguin actually had a better lifetime fielding percentage than did Schmidt (albeit with less range), batted only .006 lower in lifetime batting average, and put up respectable power numbers while serving as a key component of four National League champions and one World Series champion.  He was co-MVP of the 1981 World Series, and a five time All Star.  He may not be Mike Schmidt, but he was the next best thing.