José Celestino López
Encyclopedia
José Celestino López is a Venezuelan
professional baseball
infielder
.
López is praised for his baseball instincts both on offense and defense. He is a good contact hitter
with some power. On the defensive end he displays a strong arm for an infielder. He is often criticized for being impatient, and rarely takes a walk.
Most Valuable Player
by the Mariners player development department. Later that season he participated in the Arizona Fall League
. He was also named the Mariners' minor league "Player of the Year."
He was named Mariners' minor league "Player of the Year" with the San Bernardino Stampede in 2002, marking the second time he won this award. He led the California League
with 169 hits and 39 doubles. His .324 average was second-highest among all Marines minor leaguers while his 31 steals ranked fourth. Later that year selected to play with the World Team at the 2002 MLB Future's Game in Milwaukee.
López played three different infield positions (second base, shortstop and third base) in 132 games with the Double-A San Antonio Missions in 2003. He was third in the Texas League
with 35 doubles. He had 41 multi-hit games, including four 4-hit games. At the all-star break he was selected to start for the Texas League. At the end of the season he was named to Texas League Postseason All-Star Team. López hit .391 with 3 runs, 2 home runs, a steal and 5 RBIs in five postseason games. He again played with Lara in the Venezuelan Winter League.
He hit .295 with 13 home runs, 39 RBIs in 74 games with the triple-A Tacoma Rainiers
in 2004 before being called-up on July 31. López made his major league debut on July 31, 2004. At the end of the season he hit .311 with 11 doubles, 10 HR, 29 RBI in 46 games with Lara in the Venezuelan Winter League, making this the third time he played for Lara.
In 2005 López battled injury, going on the disabled list
twice. In 44 games with Tacoma he hit .319 with five home runs and 31 RBIs.
He hit
.232 with five home run
s and 22 RBI
in 57 games. López was selected as a replacement for the 2006 All-Star Game due to an injury to Robinson Canó
. During this game, Lopez pinch-ran for Paul Konerko
in the 9th inning and went on to score the game-tying run
.
On May 27, 2008, López helped end a seven-game Mariner losing skid with a walk-off single
off Boston
reliever
Mike Timlin
to score Wladimir Balentien
. The Mariners won 4–3 and Lopez was later quoted saying jokingly, "I wanted to run to center field...I knew the team was coming to kill me."
On May 1, 2009, Lopez hit a walk-off single in a 14-pitch at bat off of Oakland A's reliever Russ Springer
. Lopez fouled off nine consecutive pitches before hitting his walk-off single.
In 2009 he had the lowest range factor
of all starting major league second basemen (4.27).
During spring training for the 2010 season, Lopez was converted to a third baseman replacing teammate Chone Figgins
who in turn took over the second base position.
In a game against the Chicago White Sox
on April 23, 2010, Lopez hit his first career grand slam home run
against former Mariner J. J. Putz.
Lopez hit his second career grand slam off of Joba Chamberlain
on July 10, 2010 in the bottom of the 8th inning leading the Mariners to a 4–1 victory over the New York Yankees
.
On July 27, 2010 while running to first base in the 1st inning, Lopez strained his hamstring in his left leg. He missed the following six games, returning on August 4. In his first at bat back, he hit a 2 RBI single against the Texas Rangers
with the bases loaded and 2 outs in the first inning.
On September 22, 2010, Lopez hit 3 home runs in one game. He was the first Mariner to do this since Mike Cameron
in 2002 when he hit 4 against the Chicago White Sox
.
for minor league pitching prospect Chaz Roe
prior to the non-tender deadline.
On May 26, 2011, Lopez was designated for assignment. He was later released on June 7.
. He had his contract purchased on June 15. He was designated for assignment on July 2, after making 31 plate appearances for the Marlins, hitting just .103.
and Carlos Silva was a member of Team Venezuela
in the 2009 World Baseball Classic
. In Round 1 against the Netherlands
, he hit a solo home run to give Venezuela a two-run lead and the victory later with a 3–1 win.
On June 16, 2009 he was put on the bereavement list again to visit his cancer-stricken sister, Enzy, but she died before he got there. Lopez remained in Venezuela for his sister's funeral and did not play for about a week.
López and his wife, Katerine, have one child, José López Jr.
Venezuela
Venezuela , officially called the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela , is a tropical country on the northern coast of South America. It borders Colombia to the west, Guyana to the east, and Brazil to the south...
professional baseball
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
infielder
Infielder
An infielder is a baseball player stationed at one of four defensive "infield" positions on the baseball field.-Standard arrangement of positions:In a game of baseball, two teams of nine players take turns playing offensive and defensive roles...
.
López is praised for his baseball instincts both on offense and defense. He is a good contact hitter
Contact hitter
In baseball, the term contact hitter is used to describe a hitter who does not strike out often. Thus, they are usually able to use their bats to make contact with the ball and put it in play...
with some power. On the defensive end he displays a strong arm for an infielder. He is often criticized for being impatient, and rarely takes a walk.
Seattle Mariners
In 2001 López was named the Everett AquaSoxEverett AquaSox
The Everett AquaSox are a minor league baseball team in Everett, Washington, USA. They are a Short-Season A classification team in the Northwest League, of which they are the current defending champions...
Most Valuable Player
Most Valuable Player
In sports, a Most Valuable Player award is an honor typically bestowed upon the best performing player or players on a specific team, in an entire league, or for a particular contest or series of contests...
by the Mariners player development department. Later that season he participated in the Arizona Fall League
Arizona Fall League
The Arizona Fall League is an off-season league owned and operated by Major League Baseball which operates during the fall in Arizona, United States at five spring training complexes...
. He was also named the Mariners' minor league "Player of the Year."
He was named Mariners' minor league "Player of the Year" with the San Bernardino Stampede in 2002, marking the second time he won this award. He led the California League
California League
The California League is a Class A Advanced minor league baseball league which operates throughout the state of California. Before 2002, it was classified as a "High-A" league, indicating its status as a Class A league with the highest level of competition within that classification, and the fifth...
with 169 hits and 39 doubles. His .324 average was second-highest among all Marines minor leaguers while his 31 steals ranked fourth. Later that year selected to play with the World Team at the 2002 MLB Future's Game in Milwaukee.
López played three different infield positions (second base, shortstop and third base) in 132 games with the Double-A San Antonio Missions in 2003. He was third in the Texas League
Texas League
The Texas League is a minor league baseball league which operates in the South Central United States. It is classified a Double-A league. The league was founded in 1888 and ran through 1892...
with 35 doubles. He had 41 multi-hit games, including four 4-hit games. At the all-star break he was selected to start for the Texas League. At the end of the season he was named to Texas League Postseason All-Star Team. López hit .391 with 3 runs, 2 home runs, a steal and 5 RBIs in five postseason games. He again played with Lara in the Venezuelan Winter League.
He hit .295 with 13 home runs, 39 RBIs in 74 games with the triple-A Tacoma Rainiers
Tacoma Rainiers
The Tacoma Rainiers are a minor league baseball team that plays in the Pacific Coast League , and are the Triple-A affiliate of the Seattle Mariners...
in 2004 before being called-up on July 31. López made his major league debut on July 31, 2004. At the end of the season he hit .311 with 11 doubles, 10 HR, 29 RBI in 46 games with Lara in the Venezuelan Winter League, making this the third time he played for Lara.
In 2005 López battled injury, going on the disabled list
Disabled list
In Major League Baseball, the disabled list is a method for teams to remove their injured players from the roster in order to summon healthy players.-General guidelines:...
twice. In 44 games with Tacoma he hit .319 with five home runs and 31 RBIs.
He hit
Batting average
Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball that measures the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters. The two statistics are related in that baseball averages are directly descended from the concept of cricket averages.- Cricket :...
.232 with five home run
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
s and 22 RBI
Run batted in
Runs batted in or RBIs is a statistic used in baseball and softball to credit a batter when the outcome of his at-bat results in a run being scored, except in certain situations such as when an error is made on the play. The first team to track RBI was the Buffalo Bisons.Common nicknames for an RBI...
in 57 games. López was selected as a replacement for the 2006 All-Star Game due to an injury to Robinson Canó
Robinson Canó
Robinson José Canó Mercedes is a Dominican baseball player who currently plays as a second baseman for the New York Yankees.-Family and early life:...
. During this game, Lopez pinch-ran for Paul Konerko
Paul Konerko
Paul Henry Konerko is an American professional baseball first baseman who has played for the Chicago White Sox of Major League Baseball since 1999. He previously played with the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Cincinnati Reds . Konerko helped the Chicago White Sox win the 2005 World Series, the...
in the 9th inning and went on to score the game-tying run
Run (baseball)
In baseball, a run is scored when a player advances around first, second and third base and returns safely to home plate, touching the bases in that order, before three outs are recorded and all obligations to reach base safely on batted balls are met or assured...
.
On May 27, 2008, López helped end a seven-game Mariner losing skid with a walk-off single
Single (baseball)
In baseball, a single is the most common type of base hit, accomplished through the act of a batter safely reaching first base by hitting a fair ball and getting to first base before a fielder puts him out...
off Boston
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
reliever
Relief pitcher
A relief pitcher or reliever is a baseball or softball pitcher who enters the game after the starting pitcher is removed due to injury, ineffectiveness, fatigue, ejection, or for other strategic reasons, such as being substituted by a pinch hitter...
Mike Timlin
Mike Timlin
-Early life:Timlin was born in Midland, Texas to Jerome Francis Timlin Sr. and Nancy Sharon Beyer. Timlin graduated from Midland High School in Midland, Texas. He then attended and pitched at Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas, where he was a member of Phi Delta Theta.-Baseball career...
to score Wladimir Balentien
Wladimir Balentien
Wladimir Ramon Balentien is a Nippon Professional Baseball outfielder with the Tokyo Yakult Swallows.-Seattle Mariners:Balentien was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Mariners in...
. The Mariners won 4–3 and Lopez was later quoted saying jokingly, "I wanted to run to center field...I knew the team was coming to kill me."
On May 1, 2009, Lopez hit a walk-off single in a 14-pitch at bat off of Oakland A's reliever Russ Springer
Russ Springer
Russell Paul Springer is a former Major League Baseball relief pitcher. Springer made his major league debut on April 17, , with the New York Yankees. He also pitched for the California Angels, Philadelphia Phillies, Arizona Diamondbacks, Atlanta Braves, Houston Astros, St...
. Lopez fouled off nine consecutive pitches before hitting his walk-off single.
In 2009 he had the lowest range factor
Range Factor
Range Factor is a baseball statistic developed by Bill James. It is calculated by dividing putouts and assists by number of innings or games played at a given defense position...
of all starting major league second basemen (4.27).
During spring training for the 2010 season, Lopez was converted to a third baseman replacing teammate Chone Figgins
Chone Figgins
Desmond DeChone "Chone" Figgins is an American Major League Baseball third baseman for the Seattle Mariners. Figgins is a utility player, playing all positions except catcher, pitcher, and first base.-Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim:...
who in turn took over the second base position.
In a game against the Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
on April 23, 2010, Lopez hit his first career grand slam home run
Grand slam (baseball)
In the sport of baseball, a grand slam is a home run hit with all three bases occupied by baserunners , thereby scoring four runs—the most possible in one play. According to The Dickson Baseball Dictionary, the term originated in the card game of contract bridge, in which a grand slam involves...
against former Mariner J. J. Putz.
Lopez hit his second career grand slam off of Joba Chamberlain
Joba Chamberlain
Justin Louis "Joba" Chamberlain is a Major League Baseball pitcher for the New York Yankees.-Early life:Chamberlain was born and grew up in Lincoln, Nebraska. Chamberlain's parents, Harlan Chamberlain and Jackie Standley, were never married and split up when Joba was 18 months old...
on July 10, 2010 in the bottom of the 8th inning leading the Mariners to a 4–1 victory over the New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
.
On July 27, 2010 while running to first base in the 1st inning, Lopez strained his hamstring in his left leg. He missed the following six games, returning on August 4. In his first at bat back, he hit a 2 RBI single against the Texas Rangers
Texas Rangers (baseball)
The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...
with the bases loaded and 2 outs in the first inning.
On September 22, 2010, Lopez hit 3 home runs in one game. He was the first Mariner to do this since Mike Cameron
Mike Cameron
Michael Terrance Cameron is an American professional baseball outfielder who is currently a free agent. He has previously played for the Chicago White Sox, Cincinnati Reds, Seattle Mariners, New York Mets, San Diego Padres, Milwaukee Brewers, Boston Red Sox, and Florida Marlins.Cameron has won 3...
in 2002 when he hit 4 against the Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
.
Colorado Rockies
Lopez was traded to the Colorado RockiesColorado Rockies
The Colorado Rockies are a Major League Baseball team based in Denver, Colorado. Established in 1991, they started play in 1993 and are in the West Division of the National League. The team is named after the Rocky Mountains...
for minor league pitching prospect Chaz Roe
Chaz Roe
Chaz Daniel Roe is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Seattle Mariners of Major League Baseball...
prior to the non-tender deadline.
On May 26, 2011, Lopez was designated for assignment. He was later released on June 7.
Florida Marlins
On June 9, 2011, just days after being released by Colorado, Lopez inked a minor league deal with the Florida MarlinsFlorida Marlins
The Miami Marlins are a professional baseball team based in Miami, Florida, United States. Established in 1993 as an expansion franchise called the Florida Marlins, the Marlins are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Marlins played their home games at...
. He had his contract purchased on June 15. He was designated for assignment on July 2, after making 31 plate appearances for the Marlins, hitting just .103.
2009 World Baseball Classic
López, along with teammates Félix HernándezFélix Hernández
Félix Abraham Hernández , nicknamed "King Félix", is a Major League Baseball starting pitcher for the Seattle Mariners....
and Carlos Silva was a member of Team Venezuela
Venezuela national baseball team
The Venezuela national baseball team is the national team of Venezuela. They are currently ranked seventh in the world by the International Baseball Federation.-World Baseball Classic:...
in the 2009 World Baseball Classic
2009 World Baseball Classic
The 2009 World Baseball Classic was an international baseball competition. It is the only international baseball tournament to feature a large number of players from the major leagues of North America and Asia. It began on March 5, 2009, and finished March 23, 2009.Japan emerged victorious for the...
. In Round 1 against the Netherlands
Netherlands national baseball team
The Netherlands national baseball team is the national baseball team of the Netherlands. They are currently the top team in Europe and currently the sixth ranked men's baseball team in the IBAF World Rankings....
, he hit a solo home run to give Venezuela a two-run lead and the victory later with a 3–1 win.
Personal life
Before the team's game on June 13, 2007, López was informed that his brother Gabriel had died in a motorcycle accident in Venezuela. López still played in the game because his family told him he would not be able to make it home in time for the funeral and they wanted him to stay with the team and keep playing. He went 0-for-4 with an RBI in the game.On June 16, 2009 he was put on the bereavement list again to visit his cancer-stricken sister, Enzy, but she died before he got there. Lopez remained in Venezuela for his sister's funeral and did not play for about a week.
López and his wife, Katerine, have one child, José López Jr.