“[He] was running out routine grounders [so] ferociously that people feared he was going to wipe himself out at first base.” (Mark Heisler, Los Angeles Times)

Stephen Louis Sax was born on January 29, 1960, in Sacramento, California, the third of five children born to John Thomas and Nancy Jane (Colombani) Sax. Steve Sax played as a second baseman in Major League Baseball from 1981 to 1994, most notably as a member of the Los Angeles Dodgers with whom he won two world championships in 1981 and 1988. He also played for the New York Yankees, Chicago White Sox, and the Oakland Athletics.

A five-time All-Star player, Steve was named the National League Rookie of the Year in 1982 and won the Silver Slugger Award in 1986. He has two World Series rings, both with the Los Angeles Dodgers (1981 & 1988). He was also a higher-up in the Players' Association.

Steve also was the 1981 Player of the Year for the Texas League San Antonio Dodgers, named to the 1982 Topps All-Star Rookie Team, a 2-time League At-Bats Leader (1988/NL & 1989/AL), 3-time League Singles Leader (1986/NL, 1988/NL & 1989/AL) and had two 200 Hits Seasons (1986 & 1989).

Steve inexplicably became incapable of making routine throws to first base in 1983, committing 30 errors that season. This is referred to in baseball terminology as "Steve Sax Syndrome" (also known as "The Yips"). By 1989, however, he seemed to be completely "cured", leading the American League in both fielding percentage and double plays.

Steve appeared in "Square Pegs" episode "No Joy in Weemawee" in season 1982/83, and in The Simpsons episode "Homer at the Bat." His brother Dave Sax was also a major leaguer.

Tragically, Steve's son USMC Capt. John J. Sax died with four other Marines when the aircraft he was co-piloting malfunctioned and crashed into a remote Southern California desert on June 8, 2022. The death, and its impact on Steve were covered wonderfully in a Daniel Brown story in The Athletic in April 2024.

(excerpted from SABR, BR Bullpen & Wikipedia)