Al Lopez

Infobox MLB retired
name=Al Lopez
position=Catcher / Manager
bats=Right
throws=Right
birthdate=birth date|1908|8|20
Tampa, Florida
deathdate=death date and age|2005|10|30|1908|8|20
Tampa, Florida
debutdate=September 27
debutyear=by|1928
debutteam=Brooklyn Robins
finaldate=September 16
finalyear=by|1947
finalteam=Cleveland Indians
stat1label=Batting average
stat1value=.261
stat2label=Hits
stat2value=1,547
stat3label=Runs batted in
stat3value=652
teams=As Player
* Brooklyn Robins / Dodgers (by|1928-by|1935)
* Boston Bees (by|1936-by|1940)
* Pittsburgh Pirates (by|1940-by|1946)
* Cleveland Indians (by|1947)As Manager
* Cleveland Indians (by|1951-by|1956)
* Chicago White Sox (by|1957-by|1965, by|1968-by|1969)
highlights=
* 2x All-Star selection (1934, 1941)
* 1410-1004 career managerial record
hofdate=by|1977
hofmethod=Veterans Committee

Alfonso Ramon "Al" Lopez (August 20 1908 – October 30 2005) was an American catcher and manager in Major League Baseball and the son of immigrants from Asturias, Spain who went to Cuba, then settled in Tampa's Spanish-speaking Ybor City section.

He established a major league record for career games as a catcher, and later became the only manager to interrupt the New York Yankees' string of American League pennants from by|1949 to by|1964. With a .584 career winning percentage, he ranks 4th in major league history among managers of at least 2000 games, behind Joe McCarthy (.615), Frank Selee (.598) and John McGraw (.586). Over the course of 15 full seasons as manager, he never had a losing record.

Born in Ybor City in Tampa, Florida, the son of a cigar factory worker, Lopez' baseball career began with the local team, the Tampa Smokers, in by|1924. He broke into the major leagues briefly in by|1928 with the Brooklyn Dodgers, and became their starting catcher in by|1930. Over a career which ran until by|1947, he played for the Dodgers (1928, 1930-by|1935), Boston Bees (by|1936-by|1940), Pittsburgh Pirates (1940-by|1946) and Cleveland Indians (1947). He compiled modest numbers, including 613 runs, 51 home runs, and 652 RBI and a .261 batting average. His best season was in by|1933, when he hit .301, stole 10 bases, and finished 10th in National League MVP voting. In by|1945, he surpassed Gabby Hartnett's record for career games as a catcher. The record stood until by|1987, when Bob Boone broke it; Lopez' National League record was broken by Gary Carter in by|1990.

Lopez could get himself thrown out of a game on purpose, according to "Baseball's Greatest Managers" (1961). During his career as a catcher for the Brooklyn Dodgers, he was working behind the plate on a hot day and decided to leave the game even if he had to get the thumb. As luck would have it, the plate umpire was Charley Moran, who, Lopez knew, had been a college football coach in Kentucky. So, between innings, Lopez turned around and baited Moran."Charlie, weren't you once a famous football coach?" Lopez asked.Off guard, Moran said, "Why yes, I coached the Praying Colonels at Centre College.""Is that so?" Lopez asked innocently. "What were they praying for--a new coach?"In a moment he was on his way to the showers.

Lopez' largest contributions to the sport began in by|1951, when he became the manager of the Cleveland Indians, a position he would hold until by|1956. In by|1954, the Indians won a then American League record 111 games (since broken by the by|1998 New York Yankees and by|2001 Seattle Mariners). In every other season he spent with the team, the Indians finished second to the Yankees.

Lopez moved on to manage the Chicago White Sox in by|1957 and carried his success over to his new team. As White Sox manager until by|1965, he never had a losing season. The White Sox won the American League pennant in 1959 and finished in second place five times, never posting fewer than 82 victories. His 1954 and 1959 teams were the only non-Yankee clubs to win the AL pennant between by|1949 and by|1964.

Lopez briefly returned to manage 47 games in by|1968 for the White Sox and 17 games in by|1969, then retired. His 1410 wins ranked 11th all-time upon his retirement, and his 840 wins with the White Sox still rank second in franchise history, behind Jimmy Dykes (899).

Lopez was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in by|1977.

In by|1954, Al Lopez Field in his hometown of Tampa was named in his honor. He was later ejected from a spring training exhibition game at that field after yelling at an umpire. The Field was razed in by|1989, and its former location is now the south end zone of Raymond James Stadium. Al Lopez Park, formerly Horizon Park north of the stadium, was renamed in his honor in by|1992, and a statue of him was erected there.

Lopez died in Tampa at the age of 97, just four days after the White Sox won the World Series for the first time in 88 years, in their first pennant-winning season since Lopez led the 1959 team. He had been hospitalized for a heart attack, suffered two days earlier at his son's home. He was the longest-lived member of the Baseball Hall of Fame, and the last living major leaguer to play in the 1920s.

ee also

* Chicago White Sox all-time roster

External links

*Bbhof|117914
*Baseballstats |mlb= |espn= |br=l/lopezal01 |fangraphs=1007751 |cube=L/al-lopez
*baseball-reference manager|id=lopezal01
* [http://customwire.ap.org/dynamic/stories/B/BBO_OBIT_LOPEZ?SITE=FLPET&SECTION=SPORTS&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2005-10-30-17-39-10 "Hall of Fame manager Al Lopez dies at 97"] - Associated Press, October 30 2005
* [http://sports.tbo.com/sports/MGB6PBKLFFE.html "Al Lopez Dies"] - "Tampa Tribune", October 30, 2005
* [http://sports.tbo.com/sports/MGB817ONFFE.html Al Lopez chronology] - "Tampa Tribune"