"Things will be different in 1962, avers Yankee outfielder Hector Lopez. The Panamanian right-hand hitter, a native of Brooklyn during the summer season, is sure that 1961 was just one of those 'bad years' that every athlete suffers now and then. Hec was off in all offensive departments last year but suddenly found himself late in September. He started hitting and the form reversal carried into the World Series in which he hit .333 including a mighty line-drive home run in the finale at Cincinnati. Playing winter ball [in] Panama and Nicaragua, Lopez continued to hit well.
An infielder by trade, Hector has been used primarily as an outfielder by the Yankees. And he found Yankee Stadium's fabled left field on the treacherous side for a while. But no more! 'I used to read about how tough it was to play. I think it made me worse than I really was. Now that I look back, I'm sure left field at Yankee Stadium isn't nearly as tough as the stories make it out to be.'
Hector has had highs of 22 homers, 93 RBIs and a .294 batting average. He'd like to combine these all into the 1962 season. He thinks this will be a good year for Lopez and for the Yankees."
-The New York Yankees Official 1962 Yearbook
Hit three home runs in one game for Kansas City against Washington, June 26, 1958.
-1962 New York Yankees Press-TV-Radio Guide
"One of the many players to come to New York from Kansas City, Lopez was acquired from the Athletics along with Ralph Terry in May of 1959. The Bombers gave up Jerry Lumpe, Johnny Kucks and Tom Sturdivant in the transaction.
Hector was a third baseman during his minor league years and in his first five years as an American Leaguer. His fielding, however, left a lot to be desired and the Yankees converted him into an outfielder in 1960.
During his first year as a New Yorker, Hec led the club in runs batted in with 93. He has good power, having been credited with 95 home runs since coming to the big time in 1955.
Lopez's best day in the majors was with the A's in 1958, when he hit three homers in a contest against the Washington Senators."
-The 1962 Jay Publishing New York Yankees Yearbook
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