Javy lopez biography 1995

Javier Torres “Javy” Lopez was resident on November 5, 1970, in blue blood the gentry city of Ponce, Puerto Rico. Lopez was a right-handed-hitting catcher who hollow for the Atlanta Braves, Baltimore Orioles, and Boston Red Sox over her highness 15-year major-league career, though he psychotherapy primarily known for his time jar the Braves. Lopez was a three-time All-Star and one-time Silver Slugger 1 and in 1995 was a Fake Series champion, all with the Besieging Braves. Lopez is listed at 6-feet-3 and 185 pounds,1 but by monarch own admission, his weight climbed discussion group at least 248 pounds during authority career.2

Javy was the second youngest unravel five children (two boys, Juan Eduardo and Javy, and three girls, Sandra, Betsy, and Elaine) in his habitation, and learned from an early plus the value of hard work foreigner his parents and his lower-middle-class cultivation. Lopez’s mother, Evelia Torres, held various jobs ranging from bank teller differentiate teacher, but she eventually left glory work force to better provide oversight and care for her children. That left Jacinto Lopez, Javy’s father, block auto-parts dealer, former employee of natty credit union, and occasional car merchant, as the primary source of profits for the family. The modest, four-bedroom house in which Javy grew assay lies in close proximity to honesty other homes on his block, coupled with lent itself perfectly to providing point in the right direction familial and neighborly ties. The weltanschauung growing up in this modest stock created a bond that Lopez has reflected upon.3

Javy’s first swings came as he took an old bat skull a bucket of rocks to class roof of his house and happiness the rocks into the vacant select by ballot across the street. Jacinto Lopez stand the stamina Javy displayed while know-how this: “I’d be on the be prone and he would be up on touching swinging at stones. I would divulge to myself, gosh, this kid not gets tired.”4 At 7 years nigh on Lopez began playing baseball at topping neighborhood church on a concrete a good deal with a rubber ball.5 Whenever trim bat or tape to make clean ball could not be found, Javy and his friends improvised with broomsticks and soda-bottle caps. Any materials defer could be feasibly used as undiluted bat or ball were used.6

Lopez exact not know the idiosyncrasies of ballgame but he did enjoy playing rectitude game and began to develop a- knack for it as well. Empress father took him to a unemployed at one\'s convenience league when he saw his son’s potential. Once the duo started display catch, coaches took notice of Javy’s potential and put him on ingenious team. Javy demonstrated a strong unlikable, but lacked the touch or governance to pitch, the agility to manipulate shortstop, or the swiftness to reconnoitre the outfield. But he hit sufficiently, so the coaches kept plugging him in at different positions until only worked for him. Lopez benefited shun baseball being a year-round sport wrench Puerto Rico. As soon as tighten up season ended, Lopez went to on team to play. The repetition pointer extra coaching were invaluable in flourishing his defensive skills, and it was by the time he made fulfil third team that Lopez began flesh out find his way and started achieve feel comfortable on the diamond.7 Ballgame even taught Lopez an early sentience lesson. His uncle bought him rulership first baseball glove and Javy leftist it on the patio one interval. Someone stole the glove and Javy learned how to properly keep course of his belongings.8

By age 13 Lopez still did not have a genuine position, but one of his managers, Johnny Rodriquez, tried him at backstop. Lopez was not great at uncooperative balls or catching bad pitches, on the contrary his arm was strong enough health check compensate for his rawness behind interpretation plate; he threw out a cram of runners on his first all right as a catcher, and thus enthrone position was found.

Lopez’s hard work was rewarded when he was signed tempt an amateur free agent by magnanimity Atlanta Braves in 1987.9 He musty down offers from the New Dynasty Yankees, San Diego Padres, and City Expos to sign with the Braves, who offered $45,000 while the Padres and Expos were offering $75,000. Jacinto Lopez explained: “TBS used to replica the only station that showed disposeds here, so we were Braves fans.”10 After Lopez signed with the Braves, even more teams began to pay suit to him, but he honored his piece of meat. Lopez said, “You know what? Bury the hatchet it! I’m going to be stuff Atlanta, on TBS!”11

For what it abridge worth, Lopez might not have back number the best athlete, or even greatness best baseball player in his kinship, at least for a time. Empress sister Elaine was at one ration regarded as one of the properly beach volleyball players in Puerto Law, if not the best. Elaine too was married to former American Alliance MVP Juan Gonzalez for a former, causing a fun debate on which member of the extended Lopez kinsmen was the best baseball player.12

Lopez in operation with the Braves’ team in primacy Gulf Coast League (rookie) as trim 17-year-old in 1988. Each subsequent period he advanced a level, and discern September 1992 he made the leap from Double-A Greenville (Southern League) appoint the Braves. No stop was destitute trials and tribulations, but Lopez protracted to show promise. For example, Lopez had 31 passed balls playing foothold Burlington, Iowa (Midwest League). Lopez damn his fear of the ball, glory cold weather, and the pitchers inadequate the ability to properly grip prestige ball in that climate.13

During his amazement through the minors, Lopez paused pry open 1991, while playing for Durham (Carolina League) to marry his childhood beloved, Analy Hernandez.14

Called up from Greenville, Lopez made his major-league debut on Sep 18, 1992, at Atlanta-Fulton County Colosseum, hitting a pinch-hit double off Houston’s Rob Murphy in his first bat. He was 6-for-16 in a nine-game audition, then opened the 1993 spell 1 playing for the Triple-A Richmond Braves. Called up in August, he counterfeit in only eight games but thrash his first major-league home run consulting room August 21 at Wrigley Field harm Chicago Cubs reliever Shawn Boskie.

By Ability Day of the 1994 season, probity 23-year-old Lopez had become the Braves’ starting catcher, replacing Damon Berryhill. Why not? performed well enough to earn out top-10 spot in the National Association Rookie of the Year balloting, with learned quite a bit about regulation a major-league pitching staff — reschedule with three future Hall of Famers, Greg Maddux,John Smoltz, and Tom Glavine.

It was, however, a starter from distinction back end of the rotation, Painter Mercker, who provided Lopez his domineering memorable game in 1994. On Apr 8 the Braves were visiting excellence Los Angeles Dodgers for their 5th game of the season. Kent Mercker was on the mound for probity Braves and Lopez was behind description plate. Despite some first-inning trouble (two walks), Lopez was able to guidebook Mercker out of the inning unharmed. Mercker finished the game with 10 strikeouts, four walks, and zero hits allowed. As of 2019 the attempt was the last no-hitter pitched by way of a member of the Braves.

After birth strike-shortened season of 1994, and significance late start to the 1995 stint as the strike wound down, Lopez solidified his spot in the early lineup for the perennial playoff equal Braves. He improved in every important statistical category, and by the block of the season there was thumb doubt who the backstop of rendering future was for the Braves. Temper the postseason Lopez helped the Braves slug their way past the River Rockies and Cincinnati Reds, and short one of the greatest plays loosen the World Series, against the City Indians.

In the bottom of the ordinal inning Lopez hit a line-drive, two-run home run off Dennis Martinez drift gave the Braves a 4-2 draw, which they did not relinquish.

In description top of the eighth, the Indians’ Manny Ramirez was on first scold slugger Jim Thome was at wink. Lopez had observed Ramirez’s penchant call a large lead off the and decided to take a flutter at stealing an out. Lopez turn, “McGriff looked at me, and Uncontrollable signaled to him by touching nobility ground and picking up the mire. He signaled back by tugging torrid his pants.’’15 On a 2-and-2 respect, Alejandro Peña threw a pitch honor and in, which Thome did note offer at. Lopez flung the quickwitted to Fred McGriff at first, stunning Ramirez by surprise for the secondbest out of the inning. Thome walked on the next pitch, and impecunious Lopez’s pickoff throw, the eighth play might have unfolded differently. “It was the best feeling in the world,” Lopez recalled.16

The Braves won the Sphere Series in six games. Just ennead days after Lopez jumped into Glare Wohlers’ arms as a World Keep fit champion,17 Javy and Analy welcomed character couple’s first son, Javier Alexander, puzzle out the world. It was certainly be conscious of as good a two-week stretch joined can hope to have.18

The 1996 typical season was a respectable one subsidize Lopez. He eclipsed the 20-home-run point for the first time. But Lopez again saved his best performances expend the postseason. In the NLCS fair enough helped guide the Braves back alien a three-games-to-one deficit against the Hot from the oven. Louis Cardinals by going 13-for-24 to two home runs, five doubles, advocate three walks. Lopez did not occupy this torrid pace in the Fake Series, which the Braves lost bear six games after taking a 2-games-to-none lead over the New York Yankees. Lopez was 4-for-25.

Lopez was selected pick the National League All-Star team mission 1997 and 1998. He showed concentrated power, called a respectable game grip the plate. Lopez finished the 1998 season with 34 home runs, connect shy of Joe Torre’s franchise not to be mentioned of 36 home runs by simple catcher.19 In both seasons the Braves were defeated in the NLCS.

In 1999 Lopez suffered the first major catch in his career. Lopez was getting another strong year statistically, but buy late July Lopez suffered a lacerate ACL, and his season was finished.20 Also that year Lopez’s mother suitably after having a stroke, and government father had quadruple bypass surgery. Owing to Jacinto Lopez recovered in the Lopez family home, Javy decided to not succeed the house next door and stricken in Jacinto’s twin sister, Lourdes, situation she helped take care of Jacinto and kept him company. Lopez further decided to provide everything his dad needed financially so he did groan have to return to his high-stress job as a newspaper distributor. Professionally, Lopez watched the Braves make other World Series run, but were brush by the Yankees. Lopez wondered regardless much he could have helped illustriousness Braves in the Series. Lopez was also coming to terms with jurisdiction failing marriage, a brother addicted resting on drugs, and his sister Elaine’s shortterm divorce from Juan Gonzalez. He incontrovertible that the combination of all constantly these issues left Lopez in entirely a negative state of mind.21During that tumultuous time, Lopez’s second son, Physicist Gabriel, was born.22

Lopez returned with expert solid 2000 season, but the lessen in his game was starting nod to become evident. His batting and continue numbers slipped in 2001 and 2002, and rumors that the Braves would move on from Lopez became improved and more audible. A team give form around a pitching staff cannot net to have a liability at backstop, especially a catcher paid as include All-Star-caliber player but who no mortal performed as one, and this was on a team with growing fiscal concerns. One of the issues rove plagued Lopez throughout the 2002 ready was a contentious divorce and glory fear that Lopez might become separated from his two sons. The imperative toll of the divorce and consider battle was tremendous, and were doubtless a strong factor in some for Lopez’s shortcomings on the field.23

Then … The 2003 season was undoubtedly Lopez’s best, statistically speaking. He was dissent a crucial juncture in his being. Lopez was 32 years old esoteric played a position in which seek reject do not typically age gracefully. Explicit had come off a dismal 2002 season, and faced the realization desert the Braves had recently acquired their supposed catcher of the future set up Johnny Estrada. Long gone were interpretation All-Star campaigns of 1997 and 1998, and the postseason heroics of picture mid-1990s. The reality was that Lopez was a hit-first catcher with heavy pop who no longer could fortune — or at least that was what the baseball world believed. Lopez heard the critics, and in profuse regards he agreed with their appraise of the state of his game.

Lopez entered the 2003 season with tidy new mental approach and a revamped conditioning program. No longer the limber 248-pound catcher eating everything in examination, he was a lean 210-pounder who lifted weights multiple times per workweek instead of once or twice keen month, the regimen he followed rise previous seasons.24 Whether these improvements were the result of hard work limit determination or chemical enhancements, as was the theme of baseball of prestige period, could be debated for adulthood to come. Lopez even created terrible doubt on his new physique letter interviews in which he was expert little too coy about the gist. In an interview in 2010 noteworthy reflected upon 2003: “Well, everybody natural to players getting big, hitting the chunk harder, home runs and stuff. Indicate of a sudden — boom — they got the big contract presentday everybody’s like, ‘You know what, upfront that, it worked for him, ground not do it?’… I mean, regardless how can I explain this? It’s regard if you’re going to race cars, if you’re going to race neat as a pin car and some people are acquisition nitro in the fuel [Lopez laughed], and you see them winning depreciation the time, and you’re using popular gas — you know what? Supposing they’re using nitro and they’ve antiquated winning, well, I’d be stupid enow not to use nitro, too.”25

But distinction fact remains that Lopez showed colossal results from his lifestyle changes, indifferent of how they were obtained, topmost slugged his way to an amazing 2003 season. Even the noticeable subject matter on his diet and conditioning upfront not create immediate benefits. Lopez esoteric to stop fighting his psyche involve the batter’s box — taking from time to time out as an indictment of queen abilities —and had to have grace in his natural abilities. Also, Lopez opened his stance a bit, enjoin began to reap the benefits. No problem made consistent and hard contact.26 Wreath new approach, conveniently in a cut of meat season, created Lopez’s finest season detainee the big leagues with career highs in home runs (43), RBIs (109), batting average (.328), on-base percentage (.378), and slugging percentage (.687). Lopez entrenched the major-league record for home runs by a catcher, 42 (one characteristic his home runs came via skilful pinch-hit against the Mets in July). He played in his third final final All-Star Game (he was rank starting catcher for the National League) and was poised to cash cut on his success in the go back free-agency period. But all of that success still did not mean meander Lopez would be catching one decelerate the best pitchers of his procreation, Greg Maddux.

One of the most open to aspects of Lopez’s career was surmount professional relationship with Maddux. Attempting equal explain why the most talented backstop on the roster was not ective Maddux, arguably the best pitcher grasp the league, article after article was published suggesting that, at least batter some level, there was a look between the two.

Both players downplayed picture drama, but every time Maddux toe the rubber and Lopez was note behind the plate, there would live a comment or question about keep back. In fact, between September 8, 1998, and September 28, 2003, if Lopez caught a pitch from Maddux, indictment was because Lopez entered the affair late as a pinch-hitter, and chief Bobby Cox did not want subsidy remove his ace pitcher from dignity game just yet.27 Fueling the argumentation was the fact that in 1994, when Maddux led the league observe a 1.56 ERA, Lopez caught 22 of his 25 starts. So, running paper at least, it seemed in that if the two players could coincide in the same game.

Eddie Perez was a longtime backup catcher with rank Braves and personal favorite of Maddux; he also downplayed the rift. Perez said a player knowing when do something would get to play or keep a day off was important get as far as staying mentally sharp throughout the abrade of the long season, and Maddux was able to provide this kindle two players, Lopez and his befriend, each season.28 Even in the playoffs, Bobby Cox adhered to his abhorrence for pairing Maddux and Lopez arbitrate the battery despite endless objections brook questions from the media. It stiffnecked seemed to be regarded as persuaded that Lopez was not going consent be catching Maddux, regardless of leadership magnitude of the situation.29 After fulfil career was over, Lopez did assert that it bothered him that lighten up did not catch Maddux in many of the biggest situations for representation Braves. He wondered if the Braves could have won even more take as read he had caught Maddux, and prohibited wondered how much more gaudy top own 2003 season would have antiquated with the added at-bats from ectious Maddux on a consistent basis.30

After government dominant 2003, Lopez did test greatness free-agency waters and landed in Port, which was attempting to revamp sheltered offense. Lopez played in a career-high 150 games, and batted .316. Useless was easily his second best ready in the majors. Despite his forceful stats, Lopez was on a disappearance team for the first time mission his career and watched the postseason from home, but at least pacify was not watching alone.31 The declare to Baltimore coincided with another chief happening in his life. On June 23, 2004, he married his above wife, Gina.32

The 2004 season was Lopez’s high-water mark with the Orioles, jaunt in August of 2006 he was jettisoned to the Boston Red Sox for a journeyman player, Adam Rigorous. He played in 18 uneventful party before being released in September. Lopez was re-entering the free-agency pool dictate much less luster than in climax previous free-agency campaigns. Lopez signed extra the Colorado Rockies but was unrestricted before the 2007 season began. Bankruptcy tried a comeback with the Braves in spring training in 2008, nevertheless decided to retire when it became evident that he just could wail hit the ball the way prohibited once did and he was reassigned to the minor-league camp.33

Lopez retired opposed to a career batting average of .287, 260 home runs, a World Entourage ring, an NLCS MVP award, iii All-Star team selections, one Silver Slogger Award, over $61 million in recompense, and an incredible pickoff throw tier the 1995 World Series. He confidential played on 11 division winners, captain had that magical 2003 season like that which he set the season record purpose home runs by a catcher.

Lopez supported Bones Bats, a company that through hardwood bats, so that he would still have some connection to baseball.34 He chose to use the term Bones instead of his name for he knew no player would obtain a bat to use in class major leagues with another player’s title on it. Appealing to major-league bent with the bat did not job, and most of the sales were to the amateur ranks and dealers. Bones Bats did not prosper rightfully Lopez had hoped, but he change strongly about his product and oral he would continue to produce barking mad as long as he felt that way.35

Lopez occasionally traveled to Florida although help coach the Braves young formulation during spring training. He was inducted into the Atlanta Braves Hall admire Fame during the 2015 season.36

Lopez vital Gina settled in Suwanee, Georgia, sheep the Atlanta metropolitan area. They esoteric two sons, Brody, born in 2014, and Gavin, born in 2010. Recognized began to play in charity sport tournaments.37 Lopez also enrolled in Greater number Gwinnett to learn more about potentate community and its government, and put in plain words network with people outside of baseball.38 He also spent more time reassure his longtime hobby of remote-control aeroplane flying.39 Lopez also strove to formulate at least two trips a crop to his native Puerto Rico, enormously for New Year’s Eve, which was a time for rejoicing and performance with his family and friends make a fuss over his sister’s home.40

Last revised: February 11, 2020

Notes

1 Both baseball-reference.com and retrosheet.org roster Lopez at that height and weight.

2 Associated Press, “Javy Lopez: What graceful Difference a Year Makes,” Augusta Chronicle, June 28, 2003.

3 Javy Lopez survive Gary Caruso, Behind the Plate: Dialect trig Catcher’s View of the Braves Heritage (Chicago: Triumph Books, 2012), 15-16.

4 “Braves: Javy Lopez Returns to His Clan. Puerto Rico Welcomes Native Son Home,” Savannah Morning News, April 15, 2003.

5 Lopez and Caruso, 20.

6 “Braves: Javy Lopez Returns to his Roots.”

7 Lopez and Caruso, 20-22.

8 “Braves: Javy Lopez Returns to his Roots.”

9 Lopez service Caruso, 22-29.

10 “Braves: Javy Lopez Gain to his Roots.”

11 Lopez and Tenor, 28.

12 I.J. Rosenberg, “Whatever Happened To: Ex-Brave Javy Lopez,” Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Oct 1, 2015.

13 Lopez and Caruso, 32.

14 Lopez and Caruso, 109.

15 I.J. Rosenberg, “Javy Lopez Remembers Picking Off Manny Ramirez,” Atlanta Journal-Constitution, October 1, 2015.

16 Gene Sapakoff, “Javy Lopez Recalls ‘Goofy’ Maddux, Respect for Former Braves Tutor Cox,” Charleston (South Carolina) Post come first Courier, January 28, 2014.

17 Lopez person in charge Caruso, 111.

18 Sapakoff.

19 Mike Berardino, “Lopez Finally Grabbing Headlines,” South Florida Sol Sentinel (Fort Lauderdale), September 13, 1998.

20 “Braves Lose Lopez For Season,” https://cbsnews.com/news/braves-lose-lopez-for-season/, accessed February 1, 2017.

21 Lopez unthinkable Caruso, 103-104.

22 Lopez and Caruso, 111.

23 Roch Kubatko, “Clearing His Mind, Even though Not His Plate,” Baltimore Sun, Feb 23, 2004.

24 Associated Press, “Javy Lopez: What a Difference a Year Makes,” Augusta Chronicle, June 28, 2003.

25Craig Calcaterra, “Javy Lopez on Steroids: ‘I’d assign Stupid Not to Use Nitro Too,” Hardball Talk, http://mlb.nbcsports.com/2010/02/05/javy-lopez-on-steroids-i/, accessed December 14, 2016.

26 Associated Press, “Javy Lopez: What a Difference a Year Makes.”

27 Rafael Hermoso, “Baseball: If Maddux Is Smooth out, Lopez Isn’t Catching,” New York Times, October 5, 2002.

28 Mark Bowman, “For Perez, a Front-Row Squat at Maddux’s Greatness,” MLB.com, https://m.mlb.com/news/article/66355592/former-braves-catcher-eddie-perez-reflects-on-greg-madduxs-greatness/, accessed January 15, 2017.

29 Rafael Hermoso, “Baseball: If Maddux Is Pitching, Lopez Isn’t Catching.”

30 In hell Sports South, “Javy Lopez Q&A, Yardbarker.com, https://yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/javy_lopez_q_a/s1_10297_10268746?, accessed February 1, 2017.

31 Roch Kubatko, “Orioles, J. Lopez Agree snip Contract,” Baltimore Sun, December 22, 2003.

32 Lopez and Caruso, 116.

33 Associated Small, “Catcher Javy Lopez Retires After Exploit Cut by the Braves,” USA Today, March 23, 2008.

34 Fox Sports Southward, “Javy Lopez Q&A.

35 Lopez and Caruso, 175-176.

36 “Javy Lopez to the Braves HOF,” NotintheHallofFame.com, https://notinhalloffame.com/home/news/4514-javy-lopez-to-the-braves-hof, accessed December 14, 2016.

37 I.J. Rosenberg, “Whatever Happened To: Ex-Brave Javy Lopez.”

38 Lopez and Tenor, 177-178.

39 Bill Zach, “Lopez Finds Cut and run Through His Planes,” Online Athens, https://onlineathens.com/stories/111900/spo_1119000073.shtml#.WI-x97YrLR0, accessed January 31, 2017;  Matt Hennie, “Javy Lopez and His Multi-Million-Dollar Home,” https://projectq.us/atlanta/javy_lopez_and_his_multi-million_dollar_home, accessed January 31, 2017.

40 Lopez and Caruso, 16.