Javier López (baseball)
Javier López | |
---|---|
Pitcher | |
Born: San Juan, Puerto Rico | July 11, 1977|
Batted: Left Threw: Left | |
MLB debut | |
April 1, 2003, for the Colorado Rockies | |
Last MLB appearance | |
September 29, 2016, for the San Francisco Giants | |
MLB statistics | |
Win–loss record | 30–17 |
Earned run average | 3.48 |
Strikeouts | 358 |
Teams | |
Career highlights and awards | |
|
Javier Alfonso López Palmer (born July 11, 1977) is a
López attended the University of Virginia, earning a degree in psychology despite leaving early to begin his baseball career. In 1997, he played collegiate summer baseball with the Falmouth Commodores of the Cape Cod Baseball League.[1] He was selected by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the fourth round of the 1998 Major League Baseball draft. He began his career as a starting pitcher but struggled, and was converted into a sidearm (or submarine) reliever while still in the Diamondbacks' organization. Before the 2003 season, he was selected by the Boston Red Sox in the Rule 5 draft, but was traded to the Colorado Rockies during spring training. He spent all of 2003 on Colorado's roster, nearly tying the franchise record for most consecutive batters retired and finishing third among major league rookies in games pitched. He struggled the next two seasons, getting claimed off waivers and later sent to the minors by Arizona in 2005. In 2006, he signed with the Chicago White Sox but failed to make the team and spent the first part of the season in the minors before getting traded to Boston during the year.
López served four stints with Boston in 2006. In 2007, he had three different stints but appeared in 61 games, posting a 3.10 earned run average (ERA). He posted a 15.43 ERA in the playoffs but won his first World Series ring as the Red Sox defeated Colorado in four games. In 2008, he spent the entire season on a major league roster for the first time since 2003. He posted a 9.26 ERA in his first 14 games of 2009 before getting sent to the minors for the rest of the season. In 2010, he signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates but was traded to the San Francisco Giants during the season. He had his lowest ERA that year (2.34) and won another World Series as the Giants defeated the Texas Rangers to win their first World Series since 1954. In 2011, López was one of two major league relief pitchers to throw at least 50 innings without giving up a home run. He won his third World Series in 2012 as the Giants defeated the Detroit Tigers in four games. In 2013, López posted a career-best 1.83 ERA. He won his fourth World Series in 2014 as the Giants defeated the Kansas City Royals in seven games. López announced his retirement on February 8, 2017.
Early life
Although he was born in Puerto Rico, López grew up in Fairfax, Virginia.[2] He and his wife, Renee, attended Robinson Secondary School in Fairfax, Virginia.[3] Growing up, his dream was to be an FBI agent like his father.[4]
López went to college at the
Professional career
Draft and minor leagues
After three seasons at UVA, López was drafted by the
In 2001, deciding that he would not be able to reach the major leagues as a starter, López converted to a
Colorado Rockies (2003–2005)
2003
In December 2002, the Boston Red Sox selected López in the Rule 5 draft, intending for him to compete for a role as a left-handed specialist in the Red Sox' bullpen.[8] However, on March 18 he was traded to the Colorado Rockies for a player to be named later (Ryan Cameron).[9][10] López made the roster and made his MLB debut for the Rockies on Opening Day in 2003, pitching a scoreless inning in a 10–4 loss to the Houston Astros.[11] He got his first major league strikeout in his next game on April 5, punching out Tony Womack in a 4–3 victory over the Diamondbacks.[12] On April 10, he got his first win, pitching 2⁄3 scoreless innings in a 7–6 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals.[13] He posted an 0.72 ERA, which led all NL relievers, in his first 30 games through June 8, posting an 18+2⁄3 innings scoreless streak at the end of that run.[6] However, his ERA jumped up to 3.16 on June 12, when he allowed seven runs in 2⁄3 of an inning in a 15–3 loss to the Minnesota Twins.[14] From July 31 through August 16, López almost tied a franchise record by retiring 18 straight hitters over the span of 17 days, but he fell short of the record of 21 set by Darren Holmes in 1996 when he intentionally walked Jason Phillips in a 13–4 loss to the New York Mets.[15] On August 12, he recorded his first career save by pitching a scoreless 11th inning in a 6–3 victory over the Montreal Expos.[16] He played in 72 games, the third-most among rookies in the major leagues, trailing only Óscar Villareal (86) and Brad Lidge (78). He had a 4–1 record, a 3.70 ERA, and 1 save.[6]
2004
López started off poorly in 2004, going 0–2 with a 9.93 ERA in 46 games by mid-season. He was then sent down to the AAA Colorado Springs Sky Sox of the Pacific Coast League on July 18.[17] While in AAA, he went 0–1 and had a 4.00 ERA in eight games.[7] He was called back to the majors on August 10 to replace an injured Aaron Cook and played the rest of the season in Colorado.[18] He pitched better the rest of the season, allowing only two runs for a 1.54 ERA in his final 18 games.[6][19] In 64 games, López had a 1–2 record, a 7.52 ERA, 20 strikeouts, and no saves in 40+2⁄3 innings.[6]
2005
López began 2005 with the Rockies, but after allowing five runs in his first three games (for a 22.50 ERA), he was optioned to Colorado Springs on April 11.[20]
Arizona Diamondbacks (2005)
Before he could appear in any games with Colorado Springs, López was claimed off waivers by the
Chicago White Sox
López signed a minor league deal for the Chicago White Sox in 2006.[23] He competed with Boone Logan for the role of left-handed specialist, but Logan won the role, and López was sent to AAA to begin the season.[24] Playing for the Charlotte Knights of the International League, he went 2–1 with 12 saves and an 0.55 ERA in 26 games.[7]
Boston Red Sox (2006–2009)
2006
On June 15, 2006, López was traded to the Boston Red Sox for David Riske.[25] He posted a 4.32 ERA in 14 appearances before getting sent to the Pawtucket Red Sox of the International League on July 17 because it was too "tough" for the Red Sox to carry a left-handed specialist at that point in the season, according to manager Terry Francona.[26] He was called up for two short stints from July 28 through August 1 and from August 20 through 22, appearing in one game each time.[6][27] On September 4, he was recalled for the remainder of the season.[6] In 11 September outings, López allowed only one run.[27] He finished the year going 1–0 with a 2.70 ERA in 27 games.[6] With Pawtucket, he had no record and a 4.86 ERA in 13 games (16+2⁄3 innings).[7]
2007
López made the Red Sox' Opening Day roster in 2007, but after four scoreless outings he was optioned to Pawtucket on April 9 to make room for Mike Timlin, who had started the season on the disabled list.[28][29] He was recalled on May 11 when Devern Hansack was sent down.[30] On this stint, he posted a 3.18 ERA in 40 appearances before getting sent down on August 5 to make room for Curt Schilling, who was returning from the disabled list.[6][31] With the Red Sox about to face several tough left-handed hitters in late August, Jon Lester was sent down on August 23 to make room for López on the roster.[32]
In 2007, López made 61 appearances, posting a 2–1 record with a 3.10 ERA in 40+2⁄3 innings.[6] Despite his three stints in the minors, his 61 appearances ranked second on the club to Hideki Okajima's 66.[33] He made 17 appearances for Pawtucket, going 2–1 with a 3.78 ERA.[7] López was a member of the playoff roster for the Red Sox, posting a 15.43 ERA but winning his first World Series as the Red Sox swept the Rockies in four games.[34][35][36]
2008
On January 18, 2008, López agreed to a one-year contract with the Red Sox for $840,000, avoiding the arbitration process.[33] In 2008, López spent the full season on a major league roster for the first time since his rookie year.[6] On June 6, he threw a career-high three innings, allowing no runs in an 8–0 loss to the Seattle Mariners.[6][37] In 70 games, López had a 2–0 record, a 2.43 ERA, and 38 strikeouts in 59+1⁄3 innings pitched. He had the fifth-lowest ERA among major league left-handed relievers and appeared in the fifth-most games of AL left-handers. He had the second-lowest ERA among Red Sox pitchers in 2008.[6]
López made the playoffs for the second year in a row as the Red Sox won the AL
2009
On April 30, 2009, López allowed five runs in 1⁄3 inning and played the remainder of the eighth inning in right field after Francona switched him with right fielder Jonathan Van Every.[41] This game, a 13–0 loss to the Rays, was the first time a Red Sox pitcher had played another position in a major league game since Tom Burgmeier played left field on August 3, 1980.[42] On May 10, López was designated for assignment to make room for pitcher Daniel Bard after he started the year 0–2 with a 9.26 ERA in 14 games.[43] Shortly thereafter, he was outrighted to the minors. He spent the rest of the season in Pawtucket, going 1–1 with a 3.18 ERA in 38 games.[7] On October 5, he was granted free agency.[23] López ended his Red Sox tenure with a string of 152 straight games without a save, the longest stretch for a Red Sox pitcher since Rhéal Cormier had 160 in 1995 and from 1999 to 2000.[6]
Pittsburgh Pirates (2010)
On December 18, 2009, López signed a one-year contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates where he replaced John Grabow, who was traded mid-2009, as the Pirates' left-handed specialist.[44][45] After posting a 10.80 ERA in his first two games, he posted a 2.43 ERA over his next 48 through July 31.[46]
San Francisco Giants (2010–2016)
2010
On July 31, 2010, López was traded to the San Francisco Giants for Joe Martinez and John Bowker.[47] He appeared in 27 games for the Giants, earning a 2–0 record with an ERA of 1.42. His combined record of 4–2 for the year with both Pittsburgh and San Francisco came in 77 appearances with an ERA of 2.34, both career records. Left-handed batters hit only .162 against López, lowest among all National League left-handers (minimum 85 at-bats).[6] He ended the season five days short of qualifying for free agency.[48]
López reached the playoffs as the Giants won the
2011
After joining the Giants in 2010, López became one of the premier lefty specialists in the game.
2012
After the 2011 season, the Giants re-signed López to a two-year, $8.5 million contract.
2013
López recorded his only save of the 2013 season on September 19, pitching the final 2⁄3 of the ninth inning in a 2–1 victory over the Mets.[61] He made 69 appearances in 2013, going 4–2 with a career-best 1.83 ERA and striking out 37 in 39+1⁄3 innings. He held left-handed hitters to a .156 OBA.[6] On November 20, 2013, López was re-signed by the Giants to a three-year, $13 million contract.[62]
2014
López appeared in 65 games in 2014, recording a 3.11 ERA with 22 strikeouts and 19 walks. In the 2014 NLDS, NLCS, and World Series, he recorded 11 outs over nine appearances, allowing 4 hits and a walk. Lopez won his fourth World Series ring as the Giants defeated the Kansas City Royals in seven games.[63]
2015
In 2015, López matched his career high with 77 appearances, setting new career-bests with a 1.60 ERA and 0.89 WHIP. He struck out 26 batters in 391⁄3 innings pitched.[63] Of all MLB pitchers, he held left-handed batters to the lowest batting average, .112 (in 20 or more innings).[64]
2016
López appeared in 68 games in 2016, recording a 4.05 ERA with 15 strikeouts and 15 walks in 262⁄3 innings pitched.[65] Along with teammate Brandon Crawford, López won the Willie Mac Award, which honors the Giants' most inspirational player.[66]
Retirement
López announced his retirement on February 8, 2017.
Pitching style
López's main pitch is a
After López struggled to begin his professional career, throwing over the top, he decided he needed to change his style.[4] In the Diamondbacks' system in 2002, with the help of Mike Myers, he began throwing sidearm (or submarine), which Andy Baggarly called "a decision that changed his life."[73]
Personal life
López is married to Renée Richards, with whom he attended high school and college. The couple has two children: Kylan (March 19, 2010) and Christian (October 26, 2012).[3][6] Because López was in the 2012 World Series when Christian was born, he had to fly back home for the birth between Games 2 and 3. He and his family reside in Georgia.[74] López is a Christian. He says, "I do everything through faith, for sure."[75]
See also
References
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- ^ Browne, Ian (March 8, 2003). "Notes: Lopez making an impression". Boston Red Sox. Major League Baseball. Archived from the original on December 6, 2013. Retrieved December 3, 2013.
- ^ a b c d Hallman, Randy (Spring 2011). "Sidearm Sizzler". The University of Virginia Magazine. Archived from the original on December 3, 2013. Retrieved November 29, 2013.
- ^ a b c Ostler, Scott (January 8, 2011). "Javier Lopez is Agent Zero in SF Giants' bullpen". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved November 29, 2013.
- NBC 29. August 17, 2011. Archived from the originalon June 30, 2019. Retrieved August 22, 2011.
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- ^ Harding, Thomas (August 11, 2004). "Notes: Lopez back, throwing strikes". Colorado Rockies. MLB.com. Retrieved December 13, 2013. [dead link]
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- ^ Haft, Chris (October 12, 2010). "In clincher, Giants' bullpen shows dominant self". San Francisco Giants. MLB.com. Archived from the original on October 15, 2010. Retrieved January 23, 2013.
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- San Jose Mercury News. Retrieved January 12, 2014.
- CBS San Francisco. May 12, 2011. Retrieved April 25, 2021.
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- ^ Pavlovic, Alex (July 6, 2012). "San Francisco Giants hang on, beat Pittsburgh Pirates to snap three-game losing streak". The Mercury News. Retrieved April 25, 2021.
- ^ Still, Mike (August 8, 2012). "Giants using matchups for late-inning relief". San Francisco Giants. MLB.com. Archived from the original on August 11, 2012. Retrieved January 14, 2014.
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- Baseball-Reference. Retrieved January 14, 2014.
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- Baseball-Reference. Retrieved January 15, 2014.
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- ^ Baseball-Reference. Retrieved February 8, 2017.
- ^ Splits Leaderboards | FanGraphs. Retrieved April 25, 2021.
- ^ Haft, Chris (October 12, 2016). "Big decisions loom for Giants in offseason". San Francisco Giants. Retrieved October 12, 2016.
- ^ Schulman, Henry (September 30, 2016). "Giants' Crawford, Lopez share Willie Mac Award". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved September 30, 2016.
- ^ Rosenthal, Ken (February 8, 2017). "Four-time World Series champion Javier Lopez announces his retirement". Fox Sports. Retrieved February 8, 2017.
- ^ "Javier Lopez to serve as Giants instructor; Barry Bonds, too?". ESPN. Associated Press. February 10, 2017. Retrieved February 10, 2017.
- ^ Schulman, Henry (February 9, 2017). "Giants' Krukow to cut TV schedule, replaced by Lopez, Affeldt". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved February 9, 2017.
- ^ refer to transcript.
- ^ "PITCHf/x Player Card: Javier Lopez". Brooks Baseball. Retrieved April 26, 2012.
- Fangraphs. Retrieved December 8, 2023.
- ^ Baggarly, p. 248
- ^ "2016 San Francisco Giants Media Guide" (PDF). p. 139. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-12-31. Retrieved 2016-12-30.
- CBN News. Archived from the originalon November 2, 2010. Retrieved January 10, 2014.
- Baggarly, Andrew (2011). A Band of Misfits: Tales of the 2010 San Francisco Giants. Chicago: Triumph Books. ISBN 978-1-60078-598-6.
External links
- Career statistics and player information from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball Reference, or Fangraphs, or Baseball Reference (Minors)