Aurelio López

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Aurelio Alejandro (Rios) Lopez (September 21, 1948 – September 22, 1992), nicknamed "Señor Smoke," was a Mexican relief pitcher in Major League Baseball with an 11-year career 1974, 1978-1987.

Born in Tecamachalco, Puebla, Mexico, Lopez played most of his career in Mexico. First with Las Chopas in 1967 then with the Mexico City Reds in 1968. After starting the 1969 season with the Mexico City Reds Lopez joined Minatitlan. In 1970 Lopez rejoined the Mexico City Reds and played with them until 1977. During his time with the Mexico City Reds Lopez also saw time playing in the states. in 1974 Lopez played in 8 games with the Kansas City Royals and played with the Waterloo Diamonds of the class-A Midwest League in 1975. Lopez's contract was purchased by the St. Louis Cardinals from the Mexico City Reds on October 26 of 1977. Lopez then joined the Springfield Redbirds of the triple-A American Association for 1978. Lopez also saw playing time in the major leagues in 1978, playing in 25 games with the St.Louis Cardinals that year.

After seeing playing time with St. Louis Lopez would go on to play for the Detroit Tigers for seven seasons 1979-1985. Lopez's best season was 1979, when he had a 10-5 record, 21 saves, and 106 strikeouts. He had a 2.41 ERA, an Adjusted ERA+ of 181(a 181 ERA+), was third in the AL in saves and 7th in the Cy Young Award voting.

Lopez finished his career in the major leagues playing two seasons with the Houston Astros 1986-87.

Sadly Lopez lost his life in an auto accident a day after his 44th birthday in Matehuala, San Luis Potosí, Mexico. A sad and strange fact about Lopez's death is that there have been three players in major league baseball history named Aurelio, and all three were killed in car accidents between the ages of 44 and 53. See also Aurelio Rodriguez and Aurelio Monteagudo.

A career highlight for Lopez was being elected to the American League All-Star team in 1983. He was also the winning pitcher in Game 5 of the 1984 World Series when the Detroit Tigers defeated the San Diego Padres, four games to one.

Detroit rock band Electric Six named their second album, Señor Smoke in his honor.^[1][2]

[edit] See also

• 1984 Detroit Tigers season

[edit] External links

• Career statistics and player information from Baseball-Reference
• BR Bullpen

[edit] References

1. ^ Interview: "How Do You Rock So Hard?" — Electric Six, Blogcritics.org, February 22, 2006, by Tiffany Leigh.
2. ^ Electric Six: Interview with Dick Valentine, Artrocker, by Kaoru Sato.

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