Steve Garvey is part of a never-ending flow of baseball players turned politicians

From minor leaguers to Hall of Famers, dozens of former players have sought public office after the end of their sports career

On 5 March, former baseball star Steve Garvey made it into the runoff for the US Senate seat from California vacated by the late Dianne Feinstein. Garvey, a conservative Republican, will face Democrat congressman Adam Schiff in the November general election.

Garvey faces an uphill battle in deep-blue California. During debates and public appearances, he's revealed little knowledge of the issues. He's relying on his 19 years (1969-87) in the major leagues with the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres to propel his campaign. It's time to get off the bench. It's time to put the uniform on. It's time to get back in the game," he said in October when he announced his campaign.

Peter Dreier is professor of politics at Occidental College and author of Baseball Rebels: The Players, People, and Social Movements That Shook Up the Game and Changed America, published in 2022.

Isabella Flad and Sarah Jageler provided research assistance for this article.