Dave Sax – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

David John Sax wrapped up his Major League Baseball career in 1987 after five seasons with the Los Angeles Dodgers and Boston Red Sox. This Sacramento-born catcher played just 37 games in the majors, putting together a .267 batting average, one home run, and eight RBIs.

Even though Sax didn’t get many big league opportunities, his journey through pro baseball tells a story of determination and family bonds in America’s pastime.

Dave Sax ended his professional baseball career in 1987 after his last season with the Boston Red Sox. Born on September 22, 1958, Sax broke into the majors with the Dodgers in 1982 at 23, joining his younger brother Steve Sax, who later became a five-time All-Star second baseman.

The older Sax brother’s career shows just how tough it can be for players trying to stick in professional baseball.

From his early days at James Marshall High School in California to that final year in Boston, Dave Sax’s baseball story covers the highs and lows of the minors, family tragedy, and the rare chance to play alongside a more celebrated sibling.

His stats don’t jump off the page, but his grit and the circumstances around his career offer a real look into professional baseball life in the 1980s.

Early Life and Baseball Beginnings

David John Sax was born in Sacramento, California, on September 22, 1958, in a family that produced not one but two major leaguers.

He connected with the Los Angeles Dodgers organization through his amateur baseball success and the scouting networks that spotted him.

Family Background and Early Influences

Dave Sax grew up in Sacramento with his younger brother Steve, who’d become an All-Star second baseman. The Sax family supported both brothers as they developed their baseball skills.

Steve Sax found more fame in the majors, playing for the Dodgers from 1981 to 1988 and starring on championship teams.

The brothers’ love for baseball fueled a competitive environment that pushed them both.

Dave attended James Marshall High School in Sacramento, where he sharpened his catching. That high school experience got him ready for tougher competition.

The Sacramento area was a hotbed for baseball talent in those years.

Overview of Amateur Baseball Career

After high school, Dave Sax played at Cosumnes River College. That community college gave him a shot to improve as a catcher and chase his pro dreams.

At Cosumnes River, pro scouts started to notice Sax, especially his defense behind the plate.

College baseball helped him grow as both a player and a person.

R.J. Reynolds, another future big leaguer, also attended Cosumnes River College around that time. Both guys were Sacramento natives following similar paths through amateur ball.

Signing with Los Angeles Dodgers Organization

Scout Ronnie King signed Dave Sax to the Dodgers organization. King also signed R.J. Reynolds, so he clearly had a good eye for Sacramento-area talent.

That signing kicked off Dave’s pro baseball journey.

He spent a lot of time in the Dodgers’ minor league system, working on his game.

Steve Sax was climbing through the same organization at the same time.

Dave and Steve played together for four years in the minors. That rare situation let the brothers support each other during the grind of professional baseball.

The Dodgers organization gave both Sax brothers their shot at the majors.

Major League Baseball Career

Dave Sax played in the big leagues for five seasons between 1982 and 1987, appearing in 37 games for the Los Angeles Dodgers and Boston Red Sox. He hit .267 with 1 homer and 8 RBIs, mostly as a backup catcher.

MLB Debut and Dodgers Tenure

Dave Sax made his major league debut on September 1, 1982, with the Dodgers at age 23.

His first at-bat came against the Cardinals, marking the start of his short MLB run.

Sax spent parts of two seasons with the Dodgers, 1982 and 1983.

He served as a backup catcher behind guys like Steve Yeager and Mike Scioscia.

The 1983 season was tough for Sax, both on and off the field.

He got called up in mid-May after Scioscia tore his rotator cuff.

On June 3, 1983, Dave and his brother Steve became the first brothers to ever start together for the Dodgers. Dave caught while Steve played second base, but the game against the Mets wasn’t Dave’s best defensively.

Shortly after, tragedy struck—their father died of a heart attack at 47.

The Dodgers sent Dave down to Triple-A Albuquerque the same day, making a rough time even harder.

Transition to Boston Red Sox

The Dodgers released Dave Sax in October 1984. On January 23, 1985, he signed with the Boston Red Sox, looking for a fresh start.

In spring training, Sax competed with veteran Jeff Newman for the backup catcher job behind Rich Gedman.

The Red Sox picked Sax for their Opening Day roster.

“I can’t believe I’ve actually made it,” Sax said when he made the team. “When the Red Sox picked me up, they told me I had a chance, but I assumed I’d get a Triple-A chance.”

Sax debuted for Boston on April 21, 1985, as a ninth-inning pinch-runner.

The Red Sox sent him to Triple-A Pawtucket for a bit, but he returned in June when Marc Sullivan landed on the disabled list.

Career Highlights and Notable Games

Sax’s best stretch came in June 1985, when he started four straight games behind the plate for Boston.

His first major league hit came on June 8 against the Orioles, moving up the winning run in a 2-1 victory.

The next day, Sax caught Oil Can Boyd’s three-hit shutout against Baltimore. Boyd said later, “The best game I ever threw was to a catcher named Dave Sax.”

Sax kept it going by catching Bob Ojeda’s 4-2 win over the Brewers.

His defense got praise from teammates and coaches during that brief run.

On July 31, 1985, Sax played a big part in a weird Red Sox game against the White Sox. His sacrifice fly in the seventh tied the game 1-1 before the umpires called it due to field conditions, ending Boston’s long streak without a tie.

Role as Catcher and Positional Impact

As a catcher, Dave Sax brought versatility and reliability, even with limited playing time.

He stood 6 feet tall, weighed 185 pounds, and batted and threw right-handed.

Pitchers liked working with Sax, especially Oil Can Boyd, who praised his game-calling and said Sax helped him have one of his best games.

Throughout his career, Sax also played first base and outfield. That flexibility kept him valuable as a bench player.

He only played 37 big league games, but his impact went beyond stats.

Sax filled in when injuries hit, especially during his time with the Red Sox.

Season-by-Season Breakdown

Dave Sax’s MLB career covered five seasons with two teams, with a gap between his Dodgers and Red Sox days.

His early years in Los Angeles were light on chances, while Boston gave him more playing time and his best numbers.

Los Angeles Dodgers (1982–1983)

Sax debuted on September 1, 1982, at age 23. That first season, he only appeared in two games and had two at-bats.

He didn’t get a hit during those appearances.

The young catcher from Sacramento struggled to crack the Dodgers’ lineup.

In 1983, he got a few more chances but still little to show for it. Sax played in seven games, had eight at-bats, and again didn’t record a hit.

He mainly caught but also saw time in the outfield.

Defensively, he made one error in 12 innings behind the plate, giving him a .917 fielding percentage.

After 1983, Sax played winter ball with Navegantes del Magallanes in Venezuela to keep sharp.

Boston Red Sox (1985–1987)

After a year away from the majors, Sax joined the Red Sox in 1985.

That move gave him his best shot at regular playing time.

In 1985, he played 22 games with 43 plate appearances, batting .306 with 11 hits, three doubles, and six RBIs.

The 1986 season was short but productive—just four games, but he hit .455 and launched his only career home run.

His final season, 1987, was brief. He played only two games before his career ended on April 26 against the Rangers.

Overall with Boston, Sax hit .320 in 28 games, showing he could deliver when given a chance.

Minor Leagues and International Experience

Dave Sax spent 15 seasons in the minor leagues from 1978 to 1992, bouncing around different teams and organizations.

He also played winter ball in Venezuela during the 1983-1984 season.

Tenure with Minor League Affiliates

Sax started his pro career in 1978 with the Lethbridge Pioneers, a rookie-level Dodgers affiliate. He batted .269 with 4 homers and 31 RBIs in 44 games.

He moved through various Dodgers minor league teams.

In 1979, he played for Clinton in the Midwest League, hitting .270 over 97 games.

Key Minor League Stops:

• Vero Beach (1980): His best minor league year, batting .352 with a .946 OPS
• San Antonio (1981): Hit .308 in Double-A
• Albuquerque (1982-1984): Three seasons in Triple-A, hitting .317 in 1982

After joining the Red Sox in 1985, Sax mostly played for Pawtucket.

He spent several seasons there between 1985 and 1987, providing depth for the organization.

Later, Sax played for Buffalo (Pirates) in 1988 and Columbus (Yankees) from 1989 to 1992.

He wrapped up his minor league career in 1992 at age 33.

Winter League and International Play

In the 1983-1984 off-season, Sax played winter ball in Venezuela with Navegantes del Magallanes in the Venezuelan League.

Lots of major league prospects played winter ball to get extra reps.

The Venezuelan League gave Sax a chance to keep developing during the MLB off-season.

Playing winter ball helped Sax stay sharp and keep his skills up for the Dodgers.

That experience came between his short MLB stints with Los Angeles in 1982 and 1983.

Contributions After MLB Career

After retiring, Sax stayed close to baseball, especially through his family.

His brother Steve became a successful big leaguer, also with the Dodgers.

Sax’s minor league stats show his dedication. Over 15 seasons, he hit .279 with 86 home runs and 525 RBIs in 1,095 games.

He stuck with it through several organizations, showing just how tough the road is for most pro players.

Even with limited MLB success, Sax kept chasing the game well into his thirties.

His minor league journey gave MLB teams valuable depth and kept his own baseball dreams alive.

Personal Life and Family Connections

Dave Sax’s life goes well beyond his short major league run.

He’s got deep family ties to pro baseball and faced personal challenges that shaped his years after playing.

His relationship with his famous brother Steve and their family’s connection to the sport left a lasting baseball legacy.

Relationship with Steve Sax

Dave Sax is Steve Sax’s older brother. Steve became an All-Star second baseman in Major League Baseball.

Both brothers played for the Los Angeles Dodgers during the early 1980s. Steve joined the Dodgers in 1981 and stayed until 1988.

Dave played for Los Angeles from 1982 to 1983. That overlap created a pretty unique family dynamic—imagine both brothers competing at baseball’s highest level.

Their careers took different turns after their time with the Dodgers. Steve found more success, earning All-Star honors and enjoying a longer career.

Dave moved to the Boston Red Sox in 1985. He wrapped up his career there in 1987.

Life After Baseball

After retiring from professional baseball, Dave Sax faced some tough personal challenges within his family. His son, David Sax Jr., struggled with substance abuse, and that became public in 2015.

David Sax Jr. appeared on an episode of the A&E series Intervention in August 2015. The episode focused on his fight with crystal meth addiction, which brought some unwanted attention to the Sax family.

Sadly, David Sax Jr. passed away in July 2023. His death hit the Sax family hard after years of battling addiction issues.

Family Legacy in Baseball

The Sax family’s baseball connection goes beyond Dave and Steve. The next generation is involved too. Dave’s nephew, Nick Sogard, currently plays in Major League Baseball.

Nick Sogard plays for the Boston Red Sox—the same team where Dave finished up. That creates an interesting little family circle in the sport.

Their baseball legacy stretches across generations and positions. Dave played catcher, Steve was a standout at second base, and Sogard is carrying on the tradition in the modern era.

Legacy and Impact on Baseball

Dave Sax played five seasons in Major League Baseball and left his own modest but meaningful mark. He earned respect from teammates and coaches, even if he didn’t always grab the headlines.

His journey with the Los Angeles Dodgers and Boston Red Sox showed how hard it can be for talented players to secure roster spots.

Notable Achievements and Recognition

Dave Sax made a quirky bit of baseball history with the Boston Red Sox in 1986. He picked up a tongue-in-cheek award that recognized little-used major leaguers, drawing attention to the bench players who often get overlooked.

His biggest statistical highlight came during his short but memorable time with Boston in 1985. Sax played a key role in ending the Red Sox’s tie game streak that had lasted since June 8, 1961. His sacrifice fly tied a game against the Chicago White Sox before rain stopped play.

On June 3, 1983, he and his brother Steve became the first siblings to start together for the Los Angeles Dodgers. That milestone stands out as a rare family achievement in Major League Baseball.

Sax found plenty of success in the minor leagues too. He kept up a .301 average through 1983 and made several All-Star teams. He even joined the Texas League All-Stars in 1981, right alongside his brother Steve.

Perspectives from Coaches and Teammates

Tommy Lasorda, the legendary Dodgers manager, really cared about Dave Sax during tough times. When Sax’s father died in 1983, Lasorda personally told both brothers the news, showing just how personal relationships can get in professional baseball.

Oil Can Boyd of the Boston Red Sox probably gave Sax the most memorable praise. “The best game I ever threw was to a catcher named Dave Sax,” Boyd recalled in 2012. He really wanted to highlight Sax’s game-calling skills, especially for such a young catcher.

Boyd talked about how Sax would come back to the dugout between innings with this “big, pretty smile” and say, “That’s amazing” after a good inning. That kind of energy and positivity stuck with the veteran pitcher.

Larry Whiteside of the Boston Globe noticed Sax’s defensive contributions too. He wrote that “Sax deserves double credit, having caught a fine game for Kison and an even better one for Boyd” during two strong performances in 1985.