Former Braves catcher Javy Lopez.
photo by Tim Evearitt
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Former All-Star catcher Javy Lopez, along with former head athletic trainer Dave Pursley and former Boston Braves shortstop Rabbit Maranville, will be inducted into the Braves Hall of Fame on May 23 at the 755 Club at Turner Field.
Lopez, who spent more than a decade in the organization, served as Atlanta's everyday catcher for six seasons, including a record-breaking 2003 campaign. He set the franchise record for most home runs hit in a season by a catcher with 43.
Lopez also batted .328 and drove in 109 runs during his final season with the Braves, winning the National League Silver Slugger Award and finishing fifth in NL Most Valuable Player voting. That season, Lopez helped guide Atlanta to a 12th straight NL East title.
Lopez saved his best season for last, but he came through for the Braves in several key spots during his time in a Braves uniform.
In his first full season as Atlanta's starting catcher in 1996, Lopez helped guide the Braves to their fourth NL pennant in six years. He batted .542 (13-for-24) with two homers and six RBIs in a seven-game NL Championship Series against the Cardinals, earning MVP honors.
But before earning full-time duties behind the plate, Lopez came through during the Braves' World Series victory in 1995.
Catching Glavine in Game 2, Lopez plated the game's deciding runs with a two-run homer in the bottom of the sixth and picked off then-Cleveland Indians outfielder Manny Ramirez at first base for the second out in the top of the eighth.
Lopez also made history outside the postseason, catching Kent Mercker's no-hitter on April 8, 1994. He exited Atlanta ranked eighth in franchise history with 214 home runs and 12th in RBIs with 694.
----- Source: MLB.com