A 1966 graduate of Mt. Tahoma High School, Ron Cey made his mark as a three-sport standout, earning varsity letters in football, basketball, and baseball. He became the school’s first athlete to earn nine varsity letters—an achievement later matched by fellow Tacoma great Ahmad Rashad.

Cey went on to Washington State University, where his baseball talent shined. It was there that legendary Cougar coach Bobo Brayton gave him the nickname “Penguin,” a moniker that stuck throughout his career. After just two seasons, he was selected in the third round of the 1968 secondary draft by the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Cey made his Major League debut in 1971 and became a fixture at third base for the Dodgers over the next 11 seasons. He appeared in four World Series, winning the championship in 1981 and earning World Series Co-MVP honors. A six-time All-Star from 1974–79, he became one of the most consistent power hitters of his era, finishing with the fifth-most home runs in Dodgers history and playing a key role in the team’s famed quartet of sluggers, each of whom topped 30 homers in a season.

Cey later played with the Chicago Cubs (1983–86) and Oakland A’s (1987) before retiring with 316 career home runs—ranking among the top 100 in Major League Baseball history at the time.

Following his playing career, Cey remained connected to the game and the community. He rejoined the Dodgers in 1997, working in marketing and community affairs, and has long been a familiar face at Dodger Stadium, greeting suite guests and supporting numerous charitable initiatives. A Tacoma native who became a World Series hero, Cey’s legacy is one of both athletic excellence and lifelong dedication to the sport of baseball.