Fifty years ago today, MLB history was made. Between innings of a Dodgers-Reds doubleheader in Los Angeles, Dodger manager Walter Alston went up to a young Steve Garvey and told him he was going into the lineup at first base for the nightcap. A legendary unit was born.

For 8 1/2 seasons, Garvey, Davey Lopes, Bill Russell and Ron Cey manned all four positions of the infield and earned the moniker “The Infield” from Los Angeles fans that sticks to this day. While all four were all-stars – including Garvey winning the 1974 NL MVP and Cey earning the 1981 World Series tri-MVP – it is as a collective unit that these four will be remembered.

Each was a player who would have helped fantasy baseball teams. Garvey was a durable, slugging first baseman who missed two games in 1975 and then didn’t miss another game for eight seasons. Six times he surpassed 200 hits, and five times had 20-plus home runs and 100 RBI. He even stole 19 bases in 1976. Cey joined Garvey in the first 30-homer quartet in baseball history in 1977 – Dusty Baker and Reggie Smith rounded out the group – and was a powerful third baseman who surpassed 20 home runs on 10 occasions and was also a walk machine with four seasons with 80 or more free passes.

Lopes was the leadoff-hitting ignition of the offense, swiping 40 or more bases in seven seasons, including 47 at age 40 in 1985. He would have won a lot of people’s fantasy titles in 1979 with 28 home runs and 44 steals. Russell was widely considered by his teammates the most clutch hitter during that era, and even recorded double-digit steals playing a position (shortstop) where fielding was more important in that era.

Poetically, when this quartet took the field for the final time as a unit in Game 6 of the 1981 World Series, they took up the first four spots in the batting order. They also won their only title as a collective on their fourth trip to the Fall Classic.

This is a little different for an intro, but for me, these men were a part of what led me to love sports and to one day take up playing fantasy sports. In a way, playing fantasy sports is a way for me to be Peter Pan. To be forever young, following a kids’ game as passionately as when I was a kid. For that, I am grateful. And hopefully, I’m passing along a little of that passion through this Deep Sleepers column.

• Weekly Trade Value Chart
• Weekly Waiver Wire Advice
• Dynasty Fantasy Baseball Trade Value Chart
• MLB Prop Bet Cheat Sheet
• Weekly Fantasy Baseball Content

Fantasy Baseball Deep Sleepers & Waiver Wire Pickups (Week 13)

Note: These players are rostered in less than 30% of fantasy teams, according to FantasyPros.

Emmet Sheehan (OF – LAD) Rostered: 21%

The idea of throwing a no-hitter in a major-league debut sounds storybook, right? Well, Sheehan came three innings short of accomplishing that feat on June 15 and did so essentially on the doorstep of Hollywood. Tonight he gets his chance for an encore against the world-champion Astros. Sheehan dominated Double-A, allowing just 24 hits in 53.1 innings while striking out 88 hitters. His 1.86 ERA and 0.88 WHIP in the minors are exemplary. Sheehan could be a streamer and might get an extra start or two if he continues dealing, even with Julio Urias due back from the IL soon.

Maikel Garcia (3B, SS – KC) Rostered: 3%

The Kansas City infielder is 9-for-21 with one home run, three RBI, and six runs in his past five games. With three stolen bases on June 22, Garcia may move up in the lineup after batting fourth through sixth in the lineup primarily. That multi-positional flexibility is also potentially helpful, and even with a mini-slump, he should stay in the lineup for the Royals.

Gavin Williams (SP – CLE) Rostered: 29%

The burly 6-6, 250-pound Williams is another young pitcher coming off his big-league debut, though far from what Sheehan experienced. Williams allowed four runs in 6.2 innings on June 21, though he has little left to prove in the minor leagues. He struck out 81 in 60.1 Triple-A innings. Williams lines up to face the Royals on June 27 with an extra day of rest, so he, at the very least, is a streaming option.

Jordan Hicks (RP – STL) Rostered: 26%

Hicks has flashed dominant stuff in his young career, but health has been an issue. This year, he’s remained healthy and has 49 strikeouts in 31.1 innings. The 4.02 ERA and 1.50 WHIP may be off-putting, but look at what he did in his last three outings: three saves on three straight days. Hicks has the dominant fastball that could help him keep the closer role for St. Louis if he just stays healthy.

Scott McGough (RP – ARI) Rostered: 16%

The closer role has been a revolving door for the Diamondbacks, with four pitchers having at least one save. McGough needs to be rostered after registering three saves in consecutive outings over five days. The Diamondbacks are the most surprising first-place team, and anyone pitching in the ninth inning for them has to be picked up.

Alek Thomas (OF – ARI) Rostered: 1%

Thomas was hitting a miserable sub-Mendoza-line of .195 on May 16 when he was sent down to the minor leagues. Often players who are highly regarded prospects take this time as a reset, and Thomas did just that by hitting .348 with three home runs, 24 runs, and 31 RBI in 26 Triple-A games. All he did after coming up on June 19 was go 6-for-17 with five runs, three RBI, and a home run. Three seasons in the minors, he had an OBP over .390, and keep in mind he was right behind Corbin Carroll on Arizona’s prospect rankings before last season.

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | SoundCloud | iHeartRadio