Steve Garvey, a perennial baseball All-Star within the Nineteen Seventies and Nineteen Eighties for the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres, mentioned on Friday that he was weighing a run for the United States Senate in California as a Republican.

He would give the G.O.P. a star identify within the high-profile race to switch Senator Dianne Feinstein, 89, a Democrat, who’s the chamber’s oldest member and is retiring at the end of her term. She has not too long ago struggled with health problems which have prompted calls from some fellow Democrats for her to retire sooner.

In closely Democratic California, the race has drawn tepid curiosity from Republicans. Only lesser-known candidates have jumped in.

California hasn’t elected a Republican to the Senate since 1988, and a number of distinguished Democrats are ready within the wings, together with Representatives Adam Schiff, Katie Porter and Barbara Lee.

Mr. Garvey, 74, one of the crucial prolific hitters in baseball earlier than steroids tainted the game’s file books, mentioned in an interview that he anticipated to decide within the subsequent few weeks. He famous the problem of constructing out a marketing campaign operation.

“You can imagine, it’s like getting an expansion franchise,” he mentioned, utilizing a sports activities analogy. “It’s a daunting task in California.”

Mr. Garvey, whose deliberations were first reported by The Los Angeles Times, could be a protracted shot, however his entrance within the race may scramble the first. Under the state’s system, the first- and second-place finishers advance to the final election, no matter celebration affiliation.

Democrats are so dominant within the state that they’re extensively anticipated to win each slots and compete in opposition to one another within the normal. Having a Republican candidate with some identify recognition may make that tougher.

Being within the public eye has typically introduced Mr. Garvey undesirable consideration. Although he cultivated a fame for avoiding vices and philandering as a participant, shortly after leaving the sport he acknowledged he had fathered kids by two totally different girls, shortly earlier than marrying a 3rd.

When requested on Friday how he felt concerning the glare of working for workplace, Mr. Garvey mentioned that it will not discourage him.

“I probably had a pretty good spring training over the last 50 years,” he mentioned.