Photo:Stephen Dunn/Getty

ormer San Diego Padres player Steve Garvey is introduced during Tony Gwynn’s retirement ceremonies following his final game versus the Colorado Rockies at Qualcomm Stadium October 7, 2001 in San Diego, California. The Federal Trade Commission is suing the former Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres first baseman for the $1.1 million he received for endorsing the Enforma weight-loss system in infomercials in 1999 and 2000. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

Stephen Dunn/Getty

Baseball Legend Steve Garvey might be taking a shot at politics.

The 74-year-old All-Star has been seriously considering running for the rare open seat in California for the U.S. Senate, theLos Angeles Timesreports.Although Garvey has never held elected office, he is in talks with GOP figures around the state and, if he goes through with the bid, could cause a shakeup in the 2024 race.

Republican strategist Andy Gharakhani is advising Garvey and confirmed to theTimesthat the former baseball player is weighing a bid and will decide “in the next few weeks.”

Former Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Steve Garvey takes the field against the New York Yankees for an Old Timers game before the game betweenthe Atlanta Braves and the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on June 8, 2013 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

Garvey, who started the All-Star Game in 1974,retired from baseball in 1987after a successful 18-year career. During that time, he was National League MVP and played for theLos Angeles DodgersandSan Diego Padresas first baseman.

This is not the first time the Palm Springs resident has teased a U.S. Senate bid, but nothing ever came of it previously.

If Garvey entered the running, he would be joining Democratic frontrunnersKatie Porter,Adam SchiffandBarbara Lee— all current U.S. representatives — in the race for the seatSen. Dianne Feinsteincurrently holds. The top Republican in the race is Eric Early, who ran unsuccessfully for California attorney general in 2018 and again in 2022.

Feinstein, 89, has represented California in the U.S. Senate since 1992, but announced she will not seek another term in 2024, making the fight for her seat historic.

“I am announcing today I will not run for reelection in 2024 but intend to accomplish as much for California as I can through the end of next year when my term ends,” she said in a statement in February.

Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times via Getty; Bastiaan Slabbers/NurPhoto via Getty; Jon Kopaloff/Getty for InStyle; Chip Somodevilla/Getty

WASHINGTON, DC - MAY 11: Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) in the Senate subway on Capitol Hill on Wednesday, May 11, 2022 in Washington, DC. (Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images); Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA) speaks on stage about the change of the face of power in the United States after a history making number of diverse members were sworn into Congress the past elections, during a keynote discussion of the Netroots Nation progressive grassroots convention in Philadelphia, PA, on July 13, 2019. (Photo by Bastiaan Slabbers/NurPhoto via Getty Images); LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 15: Honoree, United States Representative, Katie Porter attends the 2021 InStyle Awards at The Getty Center on November 15, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images for InStyle); WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 22: House impeachment managers (L-R) Rep. Jason Crow (D-CO), Sen. Adam Schiff (D-CA), Rep. Sylvia Garcia (D-TX), Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) and Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) talk to reporters before the second day of the Senate impeachment trial of President Donald Trump at the U.S. Capitol January 22, 2020 in Washington, DC. Both the House managers and Trump’s defense lawyers were admonished by Chief Justice John Roberts during Tuesday’s 13-hour-long session. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Feinsteinadded: “Even with a divided Congress, we can still pass bills that will improve lives. Each of us was sent here to solve problems. That’s what I’ve done for the last 30 years, and that’s what I plan to do for the next two years. My thanks to the people of California for allowing me to serve them.”

There have been reports of the Congresswoman’sdeteriorating healthfor years, with lawmakers citing adecline in her mental fitness. Feinstein has maintained that she iscapable and motivatedto continue doing her job well in her final term.

Despite Garvey’s popularity in California, he will be up for achallengeif he decides to run — the last time a GOP candidate won statewide office in California was in 2006.

According to theTimesreporting, Garvey has said he feels it is important to have his name on the ballot as a Republican, and this might be true considering his fanbase lies in two of California’s most populated cities.

From left to right: Former Dodgers Bill Russell, Steve Garvey and Ron Cey throw out the first pitch at Dodger Stadium.Stephen Dunn / Getty Images Sport

Bill Russell, Steve Garvey, Ron Cey

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GOP strategist Rob Stutzman told theTimeswhat makes Garvey electable is his popularity with the older generations, which make up the majority of theparty.

“He did a ton of advertising over the years. He’s a very well-known former athlete in California, and, assuming a strong and competent candidacy, I think he would absolutely have the opportunity to consolidate the Republican vote in the primary,” Stutzman said.

source: people.com