"No other utility man in the American League has the versatility of Hector Lopez, and few can hit as well to all fields. Born in Colon, Panama, he was a regular at Kansas City for four years, shuttling between second and third base. Dealt to New York in 1959, he was shifted to the outfield and has been extremely effective as a pinch-batter against left-handers.
Lopez will learn how to make the moves at first base this year and could be platooned with Joe Pepitone."
-Don Schiffer, 1963 Major League Baseball Handbook
"In his fifth season as a Yankee, Hector Lopez is now available as a first baseman, as well as an outfielder and pinch-hitter. A valuable all-around ball player, Hector upped his average to .275 last year, equal to his lifetime major league record. Of the Yankees' 96 wins in '62, Hec drove home the winning run seven times, four of these in the last two innings, and scored the winning runs 10 times. A pretty valuable man!"
-The New York Yankees Official 1963 Yearbook
"Hector Lopez has been a Yankee for four full seasons and has made consistently valuable contributions to the Yankee pennant cause in each of those seasons, as he is again this year. The 31-year-old native of Colon in the Republic of Pamana, but now residing in Brooklyn, has played infield and outfield positions for the Yankees but serves primarily as a left fielder.
Last year Hec upped his average to .275, equal to his lifetime major league record. Of the Yankees' 96 wins in 1962, Lopez drove across the winning run seven times, four of these in the last two innings, and scored the winning run 10 times.
This year, with Mickey Mantle out for a long spell because of a broken bone in his left foot, Lopez again proved his value by getting key hits in several winning games.
Lopez entered the 1963 season with 101 homers to his credit, although most of these were hit with Kansas City before the Yanks acquired his services during the 1959 season. He reached the 1,000 hit milestone in Boston with a key double on June 22.
A mighty valuable man is Hector Lopez."
-The New York Yankees Official 1963 Yearbook
Hector Headly Lopez (OF) #11
Born July 8, 1932, in Colon, Panama, where he resides. Height: 5-11 1/2, weight: 182.
Married and father of one boy, Hugh (8 months).
-The New York Yankees Official 1963 Yearbook
Hit three home runs in one game for Kansas City against Washington, June 26, 1958.
Acquired by New York Yankees along with pitcher Ralph Terry for pitchers Johnny Kucks and Tom Sturdivant and infielder Jerry Lumpe, May 26, 1959.
-1963 New York Yankees Press-TV-Radio Guide
"Another one of the Yankee all-arounders is Hector Lopez, who was born and still lives in Colon, Panama. Since he arrived in the majors with the Kansas City A's in 1955, Hector has seen service at every position except pitcher and catcher. Last season, playing in 106 contests, Lopez batted .275, which just happens to be his lifetime big time mark.
Hector came to New York on May 26, 1959, along with pitcher Ralph Terry for hurlers Johnny Kucks and Tom Sturdivant and infielder Jerry Lumpe.Lopez's top slugging feat in the majors occurred on June 26, 1958, when he smote three homers for the A's against the Washington Senators.
Hector has appeared in three World Series for the Bombers. He tied a Series mark in 1961 by batting across seven runs in the five-game set.
It's hard to say exactly where Lopez will play this season, but you can be sure manager Ralph Houk will make good use of the 30-year-old Handy Andy."
-1963 Jay Publishing New York Yankees Yearbook
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