Baseball Hall of Famer Dave Winfield to headline ASU Law’s Selig Speaker Series
The legendary athlete will share insights from his 22-year Major League Baseball career and decades of leadership, philanthropy and impact beyond the field.
By Kourtney Kelley
Baseball Hall of Famer Dave Winfield will join Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University as the featured guest for the fall 2026 Selig Speaker Series on Oct. 21.
Presented by ASU Law’s Bud Selig Sports Law and Business Program, the Selig Speaker Series connects students and the greater Phoenix community with prominent leaders from across the sports industry for conversations about their careers and issues shaping sports law and business. The series has been held each semester since 2021 and has become a signature event for the program.
“Dave Winfield’s extraordinary career offers a rare and valuable perspective on the evolution of professional sports and the enduring influence of athletes as leaders, advocates and changemakers,” said Don Gibson, associate dean and executive director of Selig SLB. “From his Hall of Fame playing career to his work in business, philanthropy and the broader sports industry, he has made an impact far beyond the field of play. We’re excited to welcome him to ASU Law and hear firsthand about the experiences , challenges and lessons that have shaped his remarkable journey.”
Winfield played 22 seasons in Major League Baseball for six teams, including the San Diego Padres and New York Yankees. A 12-time All-Star and seven-time Gold Glove Award winner, he finished his career with 3,110 hits, 465 home runs and 1,833 RBIs and was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2001.
Before beginning his professional career, Winfield starred in baseball and basketball at the University of Minnesota. As both a pitcher and hitter for the University of Minnesota, Winfield put together one of the most dominant individual performances in history in the 1973 College World Series, resulting in him being named the Series’ Most Outstanding Player despite Minnesota not winning the overall title. Subsequently, he became the only athlete drafted by teams in four professional sports leagues — MLB, the NBA, the ABA and the NFL — before choosing baseball and going directly from college to the major leagues.
Winfield’s impact has also extended beyond the field. He founded the David M. Winfield Foundation in 1977, becoming one of the first active professional athletes to establish a major charitable organization focused on supporting young people and communities.
Winfield will share stories and insights from his career, including experiences explored in his book, Touching All the Bases. The conversation will explore his path from St. Paul, Minnesota, to professional sports and the Baseball Hall of Fame, while highlighting the leadership, resilience and service that have defined his life in and beyond baseball.
Event details:
Selig Speaker Series featuring Dave Winfield
Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2026
5:30 p.m.
Beus Center for Law and Society in Downtown Phoenix
Written by Kourtney Kelley
ASU Law’s Civil Litigation Clinic and Phoenix Children’s have launched a Medical Legal Partnership that will provide free legal support to help families address barriers that can affect children’s health and well-being.
Paul Bender, ASU Law dean emeritus and professor of law, is remembered for his influential career as a constitutional law scholar, Supreme Court advocate and public servant, as well as his lasting contributions to ASU Law, including helping establish its Indian Legal Program.
Explore more
For all press and media inquiries, please contact: Kourtney Kelley, Director of Strategic Communications and Media Relations
[email protected]
480-965-6197