Ron Cey

Lore & Background

Cey was nicknamed "The Penguin" for his slow waddling running gait by his college coach, Chuck "Bobo" Brayton. Born and raised in Tacoma, Washington, he was a multi-sport athlete at Mount Tahoma High School, its first to earn nine varsity letters. He attended Washington State University and played two years of college baseball for the Cougars. He was selected in the second phase of the 1968 MLB draft in June.

In Their Own Story

The air at Dodger Stadium was thick with the tension of October 1981. The crowd roared as Ron Cey stepped into the batter's box, the weight of a city's hope resting on his broad shoulders. He adjusted his cap, the 'Penguin' waddle replaced by a focused stillness. With a crack of the bat that echoed through the concrete canyons, he sent another ball soaring into the smoggy night sky. As he rounded third base, eyes locked on home plate, the roar swelled into a deafening chant. He wasn't just running; he was carrying the spirit of a decade of heartbreak and hope, finally crossing the line to claim what was theirs.

Reader's Guide

With the Dodgers, Cey was part of an All-Star infield that included Steve Garvey, Davey Lopes, and Bill Russell. In 1977, he was named NL Player of the Month in April after batting .425 with 9 home runs and a major league record 29 RBIs. He helped the Dodgers to pennants in 1977, 1978, and 1981. After the 1982 season, the Dodgers traded Cey to the Chicago Cubs. He spent four seasons with the Cubs, helping them to the National League East Division title in 1984. He spent his final year in 1987 with the Oakland A's. In a 16-season career, Cey was a .261 hitter with 316 home runs and 1139 RBI in 2073 games. He finished in the top 25 in National League MVP voting four times with the Dodgers (1974–1977) and once with the Cubs (1984). His highest MVP finish was eighth in 1977. In 1973, he finished sixth in National League Rookie of the Year voting. Cey played in the 1981 World Series, helping the Dodgers to four straight victories after losing their first two games, including his return for the clinching Game 6 after being hit in the head by a wild Goose Gossage fastball. He was named co-MVP along with Steve Yeager and Pedro Guerrero, and won the annual Babe Ruth Award. He is still a part of the Dodgers organization.

Did You Know?

• Cey was nicknamed "The Penguin" by his college coach for his slow waddling running gait.
• In April 1977, Cey set a major league record with 29 RBIs in a single month.
• Cey was hit in the head by a wild Goose Gossage fastball in Game 5 of the 1981 World Series but returned for Game 6.
• Cey appeared as himself in a 1990 episode of the television series "Columbo."