Former major league infielder/outfielder Héctor López has passed away at the age of 93, according to a report from Julia Kreuz of MLB.com (Twitter link). A two-time World Series champion, López played in parts of 11 major league seasons.
A native of Panama, López began his professional career in 1952. He played three years in the Athletics farm system before reaching the big leagues in May 1955. That marked the first of four-plus seasons with the franchise back when it played in Kansas City. López saw most of his early action at third base, but he also logged time at second base, shortstop and in center field. He was a solid hitter immediately, hitting at least .273 in each of his first three MLB seasons and getting into double digits in homers for five straight years.
Over his time with the A’s, López hit .278/.337/.433 with 67 longballs and 99 doubles. The Yankees acquired him midway through the ’59 campaign, and he spent the second half of his career in the Bronx. López topped 100 games in six of the next seven seasons, increasingly seeing more time in the corner outfield later in his career. López often shared an outfield with Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris in the early 1960’s, contributing to a team that claimed five consecutive pennants between 1960-64. New York won back-to-back titles in 1961-62, with López collecting a homer and a triple in four games during the former season’s World Series.
Over parts of eight years in pinstripes, López hit .262/.324/.399 with 69 homers. He finished with the Yankees in 1966. After playing two more minor league seasons but failing to return to the majors, he retired. López finished his playing career with a .269/.330/.415 line in 1450 big league games. He collected 1251 hits, 136 home runs, drove in 591 runs and scored 623 times. Once his playing time wrapped up, he kicked off lengthy career as a minor league manager. He worked in affiliated ball for a few decades and managed the Panamanian team at the 2009 World Baseball Classic.
MLBTR sends our condolences to López’s family, friends, former teammates and loved ones.
Absolute Legend! RIP Friend
Always sad to hear of a passing, although 93 is a good run. I suspect I won’t make it that far! He attended over 50 consecutive Yankee Old-Timer’s Days. While he will be missed by fans, this is a sad moment for his family and friends. RIP.
50 consecutive??? WOW!!!!
Trumbo – I’ve always admired the Yankees Old Timers games. It’s a great thing, Yankees do it right with their former players.
I spoke to John Henry a few years ago and asked why they stopped doing Old Timer’s games at Fenway. He said the players just aren’t willing, which is disappointing. I think Sox fans would love the opportunity to see players from the 2004-2013 teams playing together again. Living in the past is basically all that us fans have got right now.
@Fever Pitch, Henry’s comments are interesting. I don’t doubt them, but for some reason I wonder if they’re the complete truth. The players seem to enjoy the event as it’s a way for them all to reconnect. The Yankees do turn it into a weekend event for the players and their families, including hosting a dinner event, so there is an expense involved. Maybe it’s simply a case of putting dedicated resources (aka money!) and staff to ensuring it happens? After a while, the event and tradition probably feeds off itself. Enough players want to be part of it.
Even for the Yankees, the annual event has had recent challenges. Covid wiped out the 2020/21 OTD events. It half returned this year, but Covid still created problems as there was no game and it was a challenge to get older players to travel. Also, some weren’t vaccinated.
Supposedly, things will return to normal in 2023. We’ll see. Sometimes when traditions pause they don’t get back on track. I guess Derek Jeter and Don Mattingly might find calendar time to attend!
Saw him & many of the other Yankees play back in the 50’s & 60’s when I lived on Long Island & pop took me to the original Yankee stadium. It leaves an ache in my chest.
Lord – Some of the players, such as Yaz and Trot, definitely didn’t want to participate. But guys like Spaceman and Oil Can would have gladly played for 53 consecutive years. I’m sure Pedro and Ortiz would like to participate at least a few times.
Perhaps you’re right and money was a factor. They were already drawing sellouts, so why spend the money if it won’t increase revenue? There hasn’t been an Old Timer’s Game since 1993, with the exception of an Alumni Game in 2018.
I agree about pausing traditions.
Yeah it was sad that Teddy Ballgame didn’t make it back to Fenway until the 2002 All Star game festivities…
Grow up kid. You’re disgusting.
I didn’t read Trumbo’s comment as sarcasm, but I almost never read the comments around here so I could be mistaken.
If someone was referring to my comment regarding the 50 consecutive old timer games as “sarcasm” they are nutsy. I am guessing I have them blocked for good reason because I can’t see a thing.
Assuming thats right, now that’s impressive, 50 straight old timers games is no joke.
The actual number is 53 consecutive —1966-2019.
Wouldn’t that be 54? (inclusive)
milt – Correct.
It does. I noticed that after I posted, but the media reports (and the always-correct Wikipedia/s) has him at 53.
May be more impressive than Ripken’s streak.
Lord – Well said.
Thoughts and prayers for Hector and his loved ones.
I was a Yankee hater but a fan of Hector. RIP.
I am a current Yankee hater but somehow a fan of Judge. It is a strange and very uncertain world we live in friend.
RIP
Hector was a solid player .. a role player that teams need and he contributed to some championship seasons for the NYY !
Mantle & Maris as colleagues – that alone is impressive. Well done, sir.
One of the many players that the Yankees got from the Kansas City A’s which they used as their major league farm system shuttle. The only one better was Roger Maris.
A terrific hitter with power. Any team would have been glad to have him.
Happy he made it to age 93.
I think a very strong argument could be made for both Clete Boyer and Ralph Terry and would likely prevail
Yeah, but the A’s got Vic Power from the Yankees farm system.
……Who they included in the trade for Maris and passed him back to the Yankees shortly thereafter.
I always thought that the Yankees traded him to Kansas City for Roger Maris.
shoto – Maris came to the Yankees for Larsen, Siebern, Bauer and Throneberry.
Have some respect, you psychopath.
RIP Hector
MLBTR: thanks for the link to Baseball Reference!
Wasn’t it Lopez who was playing the Harmonica in the back of the bus after a Yankee loss?
Mantle yelled something to the effect of “shut the **** up,” and Lopez, who didn’t hear him said “what did he say?”
Berra replied, “he said play it louder,” and Lopez did. Mantle went ballistic.
RIP Hector.
I believe that was Phil Linz.
You are correct, sir! At least I got the L _ _ _ Z right.
It was definitely Phil Linz!
Didn’t Snow White blow the house down while Hansel and Gretel tried to bake the witch?
Never heard of the guy, nice to be recognized all the way till the end. Nice career too.. rest easy playa
He was a very solid depth piece on the great Yankee teams, a team player, not a star, but good teams need these guys.
In 1961, Hector Lopez started out as full time LF until Yogi Berra was moved to LF in May. Then he was the RH platoon with LH Berra in LF. Shortly after, he was a defensive replacement when the Yankees acquired Bob Cerv for the RH LF platoon role.
Bless you Gary!
RIP. Loved this guy!
Hector is now ripping line drives in the gaps in heaven!!! Thanks for all of the beloved memories. You must have quite a team up there now. 1961 Yankees best team I ever saw, hope to Heaven’s version of the Yankees some day. RIP Hector!!!