Javy López

:"For other uses, see Javier López (disambiguation)".Infobox MLB retired
name=Javy López


width=200
caption=Javy López poses with fans
position=Catcher
bats=Right
throws=Right
birthdate=birth date and age|1970|11|5
Ponce, Puerto Rico
debutdate=September 18
debutyear=by|1992
debutteam=Atlanta Braves
finaldate=September 2
finalyear=by|2006
finalteam=Boston Red Sox
stat1label=Batting average
stat1value=.287
stat2label=Home runs
stat2value=260
stat3label=Runs batted in
stat3value=864
teams=
* Atlanta Braves (by|1992-by|2003)
* Baltimore Orioles (by|2004-by|2006)
* Boston Red Sox (by|2006)
highlights=
* 3x All-Star selection (1997, 1998, 2003)
* World Series champion (1995)
* Silver Slugger Award winner (2003)
* 2003 NL Comeback Player of the Year
* 1996 NLCS MVP

Javier López Torres (born November 5, 1970 in city-state|Ponce|Puerto Rico) is a former catcher in Major League Baseball who played from by|1992 through by|2006 for the Atlanta Braves (1992-2003), Baltimore Orioles (2004-2006) and Boston Red Sox (2006). He batted and threw right-handed.

Professional career

Signed by the Atlanta Braves in by|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. The same season, he led the Braves to win the National League Championship Series, earning the series Most Valuable Player honors. He also made the National League All-Star team from 1997-98.

López enjoyed his best season in 2003, hitting a .328 batting average with 43 home runs and 109 RBI in 129 games, including a .378 on-base percentage and a .687 slugging average. In that season he broke Todd Hundley's record for most home runs hit in a season by a catcher (41) and was selected to the All-Star Game, winning the Silver Slugger Award and finishing fifth in the National League MVP ballot. Before the by|2004 season López signed as a free agent with the Baltimore Orioles. He hit .316 with 86 RBI, and the following season hit .278 with 49 RBI, while seeing a decline in his game time from 150 to 103 games. In the 2006 midseason he was aquired by the Boston Red Sox from Baltimore in exchange for minor league outfielder Adam Stern and cash consideration. [ [http://abcnews.go.com/Sports/wireStory?id=2274226 ABC News: ABC News ] ] López debuted with Boston on the same day after Doug Mirabelli left the game early after an ankle injury. On September 8, the Red Sox released López due to Jason Varitek returning from the disabled list, which minimized his playing time.

In January by|2007, it was reported that López reached a preliminary agreement on a $750,000, one-year contract with the Colorado Rockies, [ [http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2725555 ESPN - Former All-Star catcher Lopez, Rockies agree to deal - MLB ] ] but he did not play for them during the regular season. [ [http://colorado.rockies.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070312&content_id=1839258&vkey=spt2007news&fext=.jsp&c_id=col The Official Site of The Colorado Rockies: News: Colorado Rockies News ] ] Before the by|2008 season he signed a minor league deal with an invitation to spring training with the Atlanta Braves, in an attempt to return to the majors. But after being told he would not make the opening day lineup, López retired for good. [ [http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080322&content_id=2450928&vkey=spt2008news&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb Lopez decides to retire after being cut] ] "I feel perfect physically," he 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." [ [http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3306932 Lopez retires after being reassigned to minor league camp] ] He plans to continue in the Atlanta Braves organization performing other duties.

In a 15-season career, López posted a .287 average with 260 home runs and 864 RBI in 1,503 games. His 243 home runs as a catcher rank eight on the career list at that position.

Interesting facts

* Named Ponce, Puerto Rico's Athlete of the Year from 1984-1987.
* Sister, Elaine López, 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. Maddux simply refused to pitch to Lopez for unspecified reasons. Since Maddux was the ace of the staff, that became Lopez's off day. Charlie O'Brien, Eddie Pérez, Paul Bako and Henry Blanco filled in catching for Maddux. [ [http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9400E0DB143BF936A35753C1A9649C8B63&n=Top%2fReference%2fTimes%20Topics%2fPeople%2fC%2fCox%2c%20Bobby BASEBALL; If Maddux Is Pitching, Lopez Isn't Catching - New York Times ] ]

ee also

* Top 500 home run hitters of all time
* List of Baltimore Orioles Opening Day Starting Lineups

References