Javier López
Encyclopedia
Javier Alfonso López is a relief pitcher
in Major League Baseball (MLB)
for the San Francisco Giants
. López previously played for the Colorado Rockies
(2003–2005), Arizona Diamondbacks
(2005), Boston Red Sox
(2006–2009) and Pittsburgh Pirates
(2010). He is a left-handed specialist
known for his sidearm delivery. He also bats left-handed.
In Fairfax, Virginia
. Growing up, his dream was to be an FBI agent like his father.
He went to college at the University of Virginia
and played for the Virginia Cavaliers baseball
team. Through August 2011, he was one of 29 former UVA players to have made it to the major leagues, along with among others former Cavaliers Michael Schwimer
, Mark Reynolds
, and Ryan Zimmerman
. While playing at UVA, he went 12–9 with a 6.30 ERA. He had a batting average of .319, 15 home runs, and 71 RBI. He played one year with the El Paso Diablos
of the double-A Texas League
in 2002. He played in 61 games as a reliever, with only a .204 opponent batting average. That year, he went 2–2 with a 2.72 ERA. He also did not allow an earned run in 53 of his relief appearances.
on opening day in 2003. He played in 72 games, the third-most among rookies in the major leagues. He had a 4–1 record, a 3.70 ERA, and 1 save. 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.
López started off badly in 2004, going 1–2 with a 7.52 ERA in 64 games by mid-season. He was then sent down to Triple-A (AAA) Colorado Springs
during the middle of the summer. While in AAA, he went 0–1 and had a 4.00 ERA. He was called back to the majors in August and played the rest of the season in Colorado.
. He had another poor season, having a record of 1–1 and an 11.02 ERA, the highest in the majors. He was sent down to the AAA Tucson Sidewinders
in July and went 0–1 with a 2.22 ERA while finishing the 2005 season there.
and the Boston Red Sox
in 2006. Playing for the AAA Charlotte Knights
, he was 2–1, had 12 saves, and had a 0.55 ERA. He was traded to the Boston Red Sox
on June 15, finishing the year going 1–0 with a 2.70 ERA.
In 2007, López had a good year, making 61 relief appearances over three major league stints with the Red Sox. He had a 2–1 record with a 3.10 ERA. He made 40 appearances for the Pawtucket Red Sox
, going 2–1 with a 3.78 ERA. López was a member of the 2007 World Series
championship roster for the Red Sox. On 18 January 2008, López agreed to a one year contract with the Red Sox for $840,000, avoiding the arbitration
process. On April 30, 2009, Lopez allowed five runs in inning and played the remainder of the eighth inning in right field after Boston Red Sox manager Terry Francona
switched Javier Lopez with right fielder Jonathan Van Every
. This was the first time a Red Sox pitcher has played another position in a major league game since Tom Burgmeier
on August 3, 1980.
On May 10, 2009, Javier was designated for assignment to make room for pitcher Daniel Bard
. On May 15, 2009, he was outrighted to AAA Pawtucket.
where he became the left-handed specialist replacing John Grabow
who was traded mid-2009.
and John Bowker
. 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 Lopez, lowest among all National League left-handers (minimum 85 at-bats). He ended the season five days short of qualifying for free agency.
Relief pitcher
A relief pitcher or reliever is a baseball or softball pitcher who enters the game after the starting pitcher is removed due to injury, ineffectiveness, fatigue, ejection, or for other strategic reasons, such as being substituted by a pinch hitter...
in Major League Baseball (MLB)
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
for the San Francisco Giants
San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
. López previously played for the Colorado Rockies
Colorado Rockies
The Colorado Rockies are a Major League Baseball team based in Denver, Colorado. Established in 1991, they started play in 1993 and are in the West Division of the National League. The team is named after the Rocky Mountains...
(2003–2005), Arizona Diamondbacks
Arizona Diamondbacks
The Arizona Diamondbacks are a professional baseball team based in Phoenix. They play in the West Division of Major League Baseball's National League. From 1998 to the present, they have played in Chase Field...
(2005), Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
(2006–2009) and Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
(2010). He is a left-handed specialist
Left-handed specialist
In baseball, a left-handed specialist is a left-handed relief pitcher who specializes in pitching to left-handed batters, or to switch-hitters who bat poorly right-handed...
known for his sidearm delivery. He also bats left-handed.
Pre-Major League career (1998-2002)
López and his first wife attended Robinson Secondary SchoolRobinson Secondary School
James W. Robinson, Jr. Secondary School, known as Robinson Secondary School, opened in 1971, is a public school in the Commonwealth of Virginia....
In Fairfax, Virginia
Fairfax, Virginia
The City of Fairfax is an independent city forming an enclave within the confines of Fairfax County, in the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States. Although politically independent of the surrounding county, the City is nevertheless the county seat....
. Growing up, his dream was to be an FBI agent like his father.
He went to college at the University of Virginia
University of Virginia
The University of Virginia is a public research university located in Charlottesville, Virginia, United States, founded by Thomas Jefferson...
and played for the Virginia Cavaliers baseball
Virginia Cavaliers baseball
The Virginia Cavaliers baseball team represents the University of Virginia in NCAA Division I college baseball. Established in 1889, the team participates in the Coastal division of the Atlantic Coast Conference and plays its home games at Davenport Field. There was discussion at one time to...
team. Through August 2011, he was one of 29 former UVA players to have made it to the major leagues, along with among others former Cavaliers Michael Schwimer
Michael Schwimer
Michael Fredarick Schwimer is a Major League Baseball right-handed relief pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies.The 6' 8" closer was drafted by the Phillies in 2008, out of the University of Virginia...
, Mark Reynolds
Mark Reynolds (baseball)
Mark Andrew Reynolds is a third baseman/first baseman in Major League Baseball who plays for the Baltimore Orioles. He is known both for his power-hitting abilities and for his record-breaking strike out totals...
, and Ryan Zimmerman
Ryan Zimmerman
Ryan Wallace Zimmerman is a Major League Baseball third baseman with the Washington Nationals. A 6-foot 3-inch player from the University of Virginia and Kellam High School, Zimmerman has been a member of the Nationals since his debut on September 1, 2005...
. While playing at UVA, he went 12–9 with a 6.30 ERA. He had a batting average of .319, 15 home runs, and 71 RBI. He played one year with the El Paso Diablos
El Paso Diablos
The El Paso Diablos are a professional baseball team based in El Paso, Texas, in the United States. The Diablos are a member of the South Division of the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball. Since the 2005 season to the...
of the double-A Texas League
Texas League
The Texas League is a minor league baseball league which operates in the South Central United States. It is classified a Double-A league. The league was founded in 1888 and ran through 1892...
in 2002. He played in 61 games as a reliever, with only a .204 opponent batting average. That year, he went 2–2 with a 2.72 ERA. He also did not allow an earned run in 53 of his relief appearances.
2003 and 2004: Colorado Rockies
López made his MLB debut for the Colorado RockiesColorado Rockies
The Colorado Rockies are a Major League Baseball team based in Denver, Colorado. Established in 1991, they started play in 1993 and are in the West Division of the National League. The team is named after the Rocky Mountains...
on opening day in 2003. He played in 72 games, the third-most among rookies in the major leagues. He had a 4–1 record, a 3.70 ERA, and 1 save. 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.
López started off badly in 2004, going 1–2 with a 7.52 ERA in 64 games by mid-season. He was then sent down to Triple-A (AAA) Colorado Springs
Colorado Springs Sky Sox
The Colorado Springs Sky Sox are a minor league baseball team in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The team's colors are red and blue. The team plays in the Pacific Coast League and are the Triple-A affiliate of the major league Colorado Rockies...
during the middle of the summer. While in AAA, he went 0–1 and had a 4.00 ERA. He was called back to the majors in August and played the rest of the season in Colorado.
2005: Arizona Diamondbacks
López was traded from Colorado in the middle of the 2005 season to the Arizona DiamondbacksArizona Diamondbacks
The Arizona Diamondbacks are a professional baseball team based in Phoenix. They play in the West Division of Major League Baseball's National League. From 1998 to the present, they have played in Chase Field...
. He had another poor season, having a record of 1–1 and an 11.02 ERA, the highest in the majors. He was sent down to the AAA Tucson Sidewinders
Tucson Sidewinders
The Tucson Sidewinders were a minor league baseball team based in Tucson, Arizona. The team, which played in the Pacific Coast League, was the Triple-A affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks major-league club....
in July and went 0–1 with a 2.22 ERA while finishing the 2005 season there.
2006–2009: Boston Red Sox
López played for both the Chicago White SoxChicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
and the Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
in 2006. Playing for the AAA Charlotte Knights
Charlotte Knights
The Charlotte Knights are a minor league baseball team representing Charlotte, North Carolina. The team, which plays in the International League, is the Triple-A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox of the American League...
, he was 2–1, had 12 saves, and had a 0.55 ERA. He was traded to the Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
on June 15, finishing the year going 1–0 with a 2.70 ERA.
In 2007, López had a good year, making 61 relief appearances over three major league stints with the Red Sox. He had a 2–1 record with a 3.10 ERA. He made 40 appearances for the Pawtucket Red Sox
Pawtucket Red Sox
The Pawtucket Red Sox are the minor league baseball Triple-A affiliates of the Boston Red Sox and belong to the International League...
, going 2–1 with a 3.78 ERA. López was a member of the 2007 World Series
2007 World Series
-Game 1:Wednesday, October 24, 2007 at Fenway Park in Boston, MassachusettsThe Red Sox cruised to a blowout win in Game 1 behind ALCS MVP Josh Beckett, who struck out nine batters, including the first four he faced, en route to his fourth win of the 2007 postseason...
championship roster for the Red Sox. On 18 January 2008, López agreed to a one year contract with the Red Sox for $840,000, avoiding the arbitration
Pendulum arbitration
Pendulum arbitration, otherwise known as final offer arbitration , is a type of interest arbitration in which the arbitrator chooses one of the parties' proposals on each disputed issues. For example, in the case of labor collective bargaining, a trade union may demand a wage increase of 7% and...
process. On April 30, 2009, Lopez allowed five runs in inning and played the remainder of the eighth inning in right field after Boston Red Sox manager Terry Francona
Terry Francona
Terry Jon Francona , nicknamed "Tito," is a former Major League Baseball manager and a former player. He was a first baseman and outfielder in the majors from 1981 to 1990. After retiring as a player, he managed several minor league teams in the 1990s before managing the Philadelphia Phillies for...
switched Javier Lopez with right fielder Jonathan Van Every
Jonathan Van Every
Jonathan Eugene Van Every is a former Major League Baseball outfielder who now plays for the St. Paul Saints. Van Every attended Itawamba Community College.-Baseball career:...
. This was the first time a Red Sox pitcher has played another position in a major league game since Tom Burgmeier
Tom Burgmeier
Thomas Henry Burgmeier is a former Major League Baseball relief pitcher who played for the California Angels, Kansas City Royals, Minnesota Twins, Boston Red Sox and Oakland A's from 1968 to 1984...
on August 3, 1980.
On May 10, 2009, Javier was designated for assignment to make room for pitcher Daniel Bard
Daniel Bard
Daniel Paul Bard is an American professional baseball pitcher with the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball. Bard made his debut with the Red Sox in May 2009.-Collegiate career:...
. On May 15, 2009, he was outrighted to AAA Pawtucket.
2010: Pittsburgh Pirates
On December 18, 2009, Lopez signed a 1 year contract with the Pittsburgh PiratesPittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
where he became the left-handed specialist replacing John Grabow
John Grabow
John William Grabow, nicknamed "Grabes" , is a Major League Baseball left-handed reliever....
who was traded mid-2009.
San Francisco Giants
On July 31, 2010, Lopez was traded to the San Francisco Giants for Joe MartinezJoe Martinez (baseball)
Joseph A. Martinez is a Major League Baseball pitcher.-High school and college:Born in South Orange, New Jersey, Martinez attended Seton Hall Preparatory School in West Orange. He went to Boston College where he went 0–0 with a 0.00 ERA in seven games in 2002...
and John Bowker
John Bowker (baseball)
John Brite Bowker is a Major League Baseball outfielder and first baseman who plays for the Philadelphia Phillies...
. 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 Lopez, lowest among all National League left-handers (minimum 85 at-bats). He ended the season five days short of qualifying for free agency.
External links
- The Boston Globe (news)