Javy López
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| Free Agent — No. | |
| Catcher | |
| Bats: Right | Throws: Right |
| Major League Baseball debut | |
|---|---|
| September 18, 1992 for the Atlanta Braves | |
| Selected MLB statistics (through September 5, 2006) |
|
| Batting average | .287 |
| Runs batted in | 864 |
| Home runs | 260 |
| Teams | |
Javier Torres López (born November 5, 1970 in Ponce, Puerto Rico), better known as Javy López, is a Major League Baseball catcher and designated hitter .
Signed by the Atlanta Braves in 1987 as an amateur free agent, López made his debut on September 18, 1992 against the New York Mets. After sharing duties with Charlie O'Brien and Eddie Pérez for four seasons, he established himself as the Braves regular catcher in 1996.
López enjoyed his best season in 2003, batting .328/.378/.687 with 43 home runs, 29 doubles and 109 RBI. In that season he broke Todd Hundley's record for most home runs hit in a season by a catcher (41).
López signed as a free agent with the Baltimore Orioles before the 2004 season. On August 4, 2006 the Boston Red Sox acquired Lopez 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. Lopez is Currently a Free Agent
Contents |
[edit] Highlights
- 3-time All-Star (1997-98, 2003)
- NLCS Most Valuable Player (1996)
- Silver Slugger Award (2004)
[edit] Trivia
- Married the former Gina Brodbeck on 6/23/04. His first wife, Analy, is a model.
- He has two sons, Javier Alexander (11/6/95) and Kelvin Gabrielle (10/17/99)
- His sister, Elaine, was a professional volleyball player in Puerto Rico. She was briefly married to Javy's fellow Puerto Rican baseball player, Juan González.
- Enjoys flying radio-controlled airplanes as a hobby.
- Hit the first double in Turner Field.
- Not to be confused with Javier López, who has also played for the Red Sox.
- Hit a game-deciding Home Run in an exhibition game where the San Juan Senators defeated the Cuban national baseball team in 1992.
- Wears number 23 in honor of Michael Jordan. By wearing this number, Lopez forced Red Sox INF Alex Cora to wear number 13.
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
- Baseball-Reference.com - career statistics and analysis
- Javy López at ESPN.com
| Preceded by Mike Devereaux |
National League Championship Series MVP 1996 |
Succeeded by Livan Hernandez |
| Preceded by Mike Lieberthal |
NL Comeback Player of the Year 2003 |
Succeeded by Chris Carpenter |
