Javy López
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| Javy López | ||
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| Javy Lopez poses with fans | ||
| Catcher | ||
| Born: November 5, 1970 Ponce, Puerto Rico |
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| Batted: Right | Threw: Right | |
| MLB debut | ||
| September 18, 1992 for the Atlanta Braves |
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| Final game | ||
| September 2, 2006 for the Boston Red Sox |
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| Career statistics | ||
| Batting average | .290 | |
| Home runs | 263 | |
| Runs batted in | 867 | |
| Teams | ||
| Career highlights and awards | ||
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Javier "Javy" López Torres (born November 5, 1970 in Ponce, Puerto Rico) is a former catcher in Major League Baseball who played for the Atlanta Braves (1992-2003), Baltimore Orioles (2004-2006), and Boston Red Sox (2006).
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[edit] Professional Career
Signed by the Atlanta Braves in 1987 as an amateur free agent, López made his debut on September 18, 1992, against the Houston Astros. After sharing duties with Charlie O'Brien and Eddie Pérez for four seasons, he established himself as the Braves regular catcher in 1996. That year, he led the Braves to win the 1996 National League Championship Series winning the series MVP. The next two years, he was selected to the National League All-Star team.
López enjoyed his best season in 2003, batting .328/.378/.687 with 43 home runs, 29 doubles and 109 RBI in only 129 games. In that season, he broke Todd Hundley's record for most home runs hit in a season by a catcher, with 41 home runs. That year, he was also selected to the 2003 National League All-Star Team, won the Silver Slugger Award, and was fifth in the voting tally for the League MVP.
López signed as a free agent with the Baltimore Orioles before the 2004 season. That season he batted .316 with 86 RBI. The following season, he batted .278 with 49 RBI, while seeing a decline in his game time from 150 to 103 games.
On August 4, 2006, the Boston Red Sox acquired López and cash from the Orioles for minor league outfielder Adam Stern.[1] He made his debut as a Red Sox on the same day after Doug Mirabelli left the game early after an ankle injury. On September 8, 2006, the Red Sox released Lopez due to Jason Varitek returning from the disabled list; minimizing Lopez's playing time. On January 10, 2007, it was reported that Lopez signed a one-year, $750,000 contract with the Colorado Rockies.[2] However, he was released by the Rockies on March 12, 2007[3] and didn't play in the season.
On December 17, 2007, López signed a minor league deal with an invitation to spring training with the Atlanta Braves, in order to attempt a return to the major leagues for the 2008 season. However, on March 22, after being told he would not make the opening day lineup, López retired.[4] "I feel perfect physically," Lopez said. "It's just that the hitting wasn't there and unfortunately I didn't throw the guy out on the stealing attempts. That's a concern. I don't blame them. My role as a backup catcher is to be able to throw every single runner out." [5] He plans on continuing in the organization, just not as a player.
López finished his career batting .290 with 263 home runs, and 867 RBI.
[edit] Interesting Facts
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- Named Ponce, Puerto Rico's Athlete of the Year from 1984-1987.
- Sister, Elaine Lopez, is a professional volleyball player.
- He has two sons, Javier Alexander (11/6/95) and Kelvin Gabrielle (10/17/99)
- Hit the first double and grand slam in Turner Field.
- Hit a game-deciding home run in an exhibition game where the San Juan Senators defeated the Cuban national baseball team in 1992.
- Never regularly caught for pitcher Greg Maddux. Since Maddux was the ace of the staff, that became Lopez's off day. Charlie O'Brien, Eddie Perez, Paul Bako and Henry Blanco filled in catching for Maddux.[6]
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ ABC News: ABC News
- ^ ESPN - Former All-Star catcher Lopez, Rockies agree to deal - MLB
- ^ The Official Site of The Colorado Rockies: News: Colorado Rockies News
- ^ Lopez decides to retire after being cut
- ^ Lopez retires after being reassigned to minor league camp
- ^ BASEBALL; If Maddux Is Pitching, Lopez Isn't Catching - New York Times
| Preceded by Mike Devereaux |
National League Championship Series MVP 1996 |
Succeeded by Liván Hernández |
| Preceded by Mike Lieberthal |
NL Comeback Player of the Year 2003 |
Succeeded by Chris Carpenter |
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