"One of the most valuable members of the Yankee bench, handyman Hector Lopez is another reason why the team is always rated a pennant contender because of its player depth. Used as a spot outfielder last season, he batted a solid .250 with 14 homers and 52 RBI. He's a dangerous pinch-hitter.
Obtained by the Yankees from the Athletics back in 1959, he's always been a steady performer for them. Hooted for his fielding lapses in past years, he has developed into a sure-handed outfielder in the tricky Stadium winds."
-Dave Anderson, 1964 Major League Baseball Handbook
"Figures alone don't tell the Hector Lopez story of 1963. In fact, a cold analysis would indicate the popular Panamanian outfielder had slumped from a 1962 average of .275 to .249. But the negative statistics stop there.
The bench was the big factor in last year's pennant drive and Hec was a mighty important figure on that bench. He played 130 ball games as a replacement for Mantle and Maris, and for Tresh when Tom moved to center. While his batting average was off, the 31-year-old right-handed hitter clouted 14 homers and 17 other extra-base hits. Ten times last summer, Lopez drove in the deciding run, eight of these coming in the last two innings.
An infielder by early training, Lopez was used exclusively as an outfielder in recent seasons by Ralph Houk and now Yogi Berra has said that 'Lopey' would remain an outfielder. Vastly improved as a defensive gardener in recent seasons, Lopez has proved to be a valuable swing man in the Yankees' able outfield corps. And he's a fine pinch-swinger, particularly effective in late innings.
Hector is in his sixth season as a Yankee, following acquisition from the Athletics in 1959. Probably the high point of his career came in the '61 World Series when he tied a major league record with seven RBIs in a five-game set."
-The New York Yankees Official 1964 Yearbook
"Slated for a more important role in the Yankee scheme of things is Panamanian-born Hector Lopez. Heretofore figured as strictly as pretty-good-hit, not-so-hot field, Lopez will be used more on defense this season. And that's straight from the lips of pilot Yogi Berra, who declared at the luncheon celebrating Lopez' contract signing, 'Hector will be my defensive outfielder in the last two or three innings if we need him.'
In days gone by, whenever Lopez was in a game, he would usually be the one replaced in the last few frames. When it was pointed out to Berra that Lopez committed nine errors last season, with only two other gardeners, Bob Allison and Leon Wagner, making more, Yogi said, 'I know that, but he also made 11 assists. He's a good outfielder and I'm not afraid to use him there.'
Due to the injuries sustained by Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris last season, Hector managed to participate in 130 games. Though he averaged only .250, Lopez socked 14 homers and drove in 52 runs. Besides that, Hec accounted for the deciding tally in 10 wins, eight coming in the final two innings.
Lopez, who resides in a new home in West Hempstead, N.Y. with his wife and little son, has a lifetime major league average of .273 with 115 homers for nine seasons. His World Series mark is a neat .308. Hector's seven RBI against Cincinnati in the 1961 fall classic tied a record for a five-game Series.
The 31-year-old righthanded hitter came to the Yankees from the Kansas City A's, along with pitcher Ralph Terry, in exchange for infielder Jerry Lumpe and hurlers Tom Sturdivant and Johnny Kucks on May 26, 1959."
-1964 Jay Publishing New York Yankees 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.
-1964 New York Yankees Press-TV-Radio Guide
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