Javy López

For other uses, see Javier López (disambiguation).

Template:Infobox MLB retired Javier López Torres (born November 5, 1970 in Template:City-state) is a former catcher in Major League Baseball who played from 1992 through 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 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 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 adquired by the Boston Red Sox from Baltimore in exchange for minor league outfielder Adam Stern and cash consideration. 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 2007, it was reported that López reached a preliminary agreement on a $750,000, one-year contract with the Colorado Rockies, but he did not play for them during the regular season. Before the 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. "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." 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.

See also

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