Javy Lopez

#8

               Atlanta Braves

By John M Milner.

• Javier Torres Lopez
• #8-catcher-Atlanta Braves
• stands 6'3", weighs 200 lbs.
• wife's name is Analy, two son's, Javier Alexander (born 11/6/95), and Kelvin Gabriel (born October 17, 1999) 
• born November 5, 1970 in Ponce, PR
• attended Academia Cristo Rey in Urb La Ramble, PR
• played baseball, track and volleyball
• Ponce's athlete of the year from 1984-1987
• signed by Braves as free agent to a minor league contract on November 6, 1987
• signed by Jorge Posada and Pedro Gonzales
• was the Southern League's Most Valuable Player in 1992
• made his major league debut in 1992, playing in 9 games, hitting .375 in 16 AB with 0 HR and 2 RBI
• hit 23 HR in 1996, making him one of the best hitting catchers in baseball
• Named MVP of the 1996 National League Championship Series
• In 1997, he suffered a hairline fracture in his thumb during the All Star Game and was on the DL from July 12-July 22. Was the 11th player to homer in their first All Star at bat.
• 1997-became only the 3rd catcher in franchise history to reach double digit figures in home runs in at least 4 consecutive seasons
• (Del Crondall in 1953-1960 and Joe Torre from 1963-1968 were the other two)
• Hit first career grand slam April 14, 1997 of Cincinatti's Stan Belinda
• In 1998, he hit .284 with 34 HR and 106 RBI
• Led all major league catchers in fielding percentage (.995)
• named to the NL All Star team in 1998 and homered in four straight games
• signed a contract extension through 2001, reportedly for $19.25 million over three years
• is 2 for 12 in stolen bases in his career
• considered one of the most dangerous first pitch hitters in the game
• great low pitch hitter
• has a strong arm
• has trouble handling balls in the dirt
• slow runner but makes up for it with his performance at the plate
• valued more for his offence than his defence
• On April 8, 1994, he became the youngest catcher since Ted Simmons in 1971 to catch a no-hitter when he was behind the plate with Kent Mercker no-hit the Dodgers.
• It was just Lopez's 10th major league start and the third no-hitter in Braves history.
• In 1998, he led all National League catchers in tossing out 33.8% of all would-be base-stealers
• He was named to the 1998 All-Star team
• In 1998, he hit .284 with 34 home runs and 106 RBIs.
• The 34 homers were the most by an Atlanta catcher since Joe Torre in 1966.
• In Game 4 of the 1998 NLCS, Lopez led off the third inning with a home run of San Diego's Joey Hamilton
• In 1998, he signed a contract extension to 2001 worth $19.25 million.
• In 1999, he hit .317 with 11 homers and 45 RBIs.
• Suffered a pair of knee injuries that limited him to just 65 games during the 1999 season
• He sprained his right knee sliding into second in the seventh inning of a 10-4 Atlanta victory over Arizona on June 20th, 1999
• He returned in July only to go back on the disabled list eleven days later after suffering a partially torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee that ended his season. However, upon his return from the first injury, on July 15th, he went 2-5 with a two-run single in a 6-2 win over the Yankees
• ESPN called him "perhaps the best all-around catcher in the Senior Circuit"
• Played in 134 games during the 2000 season. He hit 24 home runs, drove in 89 runs and hit .287
• Had two 4-RBI games. The first one came on April 19th against Philadelphia; the second came on May 9th against Florida.
• Hit .091 in the post-season, going 1 for 11.

JOHN M's Opinion: Since I don't watch the National League that much, I don't know too much about Lopez. But, from what I have seen, heard, and read, it looks as if he would be much better heading to the American League in the future. That way, he could put his substantial offensive skills to better use as a designated hitter, and minimize the criticism that his catching skills bring. From what I have heard, the Braves pitching staff are not that thrilled with Lopez's inability to handle balls in the dirt, which limits their freedom to unleash their best pitches. Lopez is 28, so he should have matured into the catcher they need him to be. While he is by no means a horrible catcher, his skills could be put to far better use elsewhere.

TYPO's Opinion: I have to admit that I had not heard any of the things John has mentioned above.  I think I must like these offensive catchers, as all four of the catchers in these pages are capable of hitting HARD!  Puerto Rico certainly seems to have the market on catchers.   I thought he looked a pretty good catcher, but then I am still pretty new to this game, and do not watch individuals that closely.  Lets hope that he will improve in his defense.  If not I'll still like watching the offence! 

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Javy Lopez Links

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[Roberto Alomar] [Sandy Alomar Jnr] [Bartolo Colon] [Chipper Jones] [David Justice] [Javy Lopez] [Greg Maddux] [Chad Ogea] [Andy Pettitte] [Jorge Posada] [Ivan Rodriguez] [Larry Walker] [John Wetteland] [Jaret Wright]

Please note that I am not any of these players, nor I am associated with any of them (I wish!!!).  Just a fan like the rest of you :)    I would also like to thank everyone that has emailed me regarding my pages, it is great hearing from other fans, and some of you have been daft enough to stay in contact!  Of course the biggest thanks for all goes to John for taking the time to research and write these pages, and really do all the work for me!  I just take all the credit... well unless he does it wrong!  THANX

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