Luis Lopez Reaches Career Milestone

Published on August 6, 2011 under Atlantic League (AtL)
Bridgeport Bluefish News Release


Bridgeport, Conn. - Luis Lopez went undrafted out of Coastal Carolina University in 1995. According to a lot of scouts, he wasn't even good enough to be a professional athlete. After 16 seasons in professional baseball, the third baseman continues to prove them wrong.

Last night at The Ballpark at Harbor Yard, Lopez grounded a pitch past the lunge of Road Warriors shortstop Danny Gonzalez into left field, for his 2,000th career hit in minor league baseball. His 2,000th hit in affiliated, independent, and Mexican League minor league baseball, was also his 500th hit in a Bluefish uniform. It was part of an outstanding 3-for-4 day with two RBI for Lopez, which led Bridgeport to a win over the Road Warriors 6-1.

It was a special moment for the veteran. "My family just flew in tonight, including my oldest daughter, my mom, and my dad. To do it in front of my family, it's a great accomplishment," Lopez said.

The road to this point was long for Lopez. Undrafted out of college, Lopez started his baseball career with independent Ogden of the Frontier League. His .357 average, 36 runs, and 39 RBI in 46 games earned him a contract with the Toronto Blue Jays organization for the 1996 season.

Lopez advanced through the ranks of the Toronto system, reaching Triple-A Syracuse in 1998 and playing there until 2001, when he got his first call-up to the "The Show." The righthanded batter participated in 41 games for the Blue Jays in his first Major League stint.

The Brooklyn native then spent 2002-2004 on Triple-A affiliates for the Oakland Athletics and Atlanta Braves before getting another shot in "the Big's" with the Montreal Expos in 2004.

Since then, he has played for a multitude of Mexican League and independent ball clubs, including the Bluefish for the past four seasons.

While Lopez credits staying in shape as the key to reaching the 2,000 hit mark, Bridgeport Manager Willie Upshaw cites the 37-year-old's consistency at the plate. "You have to endure and be a good hitter, have to love the game, and stay healthy," Upshaw said. "He's always been a good hitter and he really loves to play baseball, and that's the number one thing."

After Lopez belted his milestone hit, ‘Fish reliever and close friend, Antonio Alfonseca, retrieved the baseball. Fans also rose to their feet and applauded as the announcement was made on the ballpark public address and scoreboard.

Upshaw said the celebratory reaction to Lopez's 2000th minor league hit and 500th Bluefish hit was similar to when the skipper became the first member of the Toronto Blue Jays to drive in 100 RBI in a single season back in 1983 during his playing career.

"It's quite an accomplishment, he's very proud of it, I am very proud of him, the whole town and the whole area that supports this baseball team should be proud of Luis," Upshaw said. "I know he's proud of what he's done, he's enjoyed the whole area, he's enjoyed the team, he's enjoyed his teammates, and he's enjoyed winning here."

As for what will happen to the milestone baseball, Lopez says he is probably going to give it to the man who made the trip to the Park City yesterday and who he gave the ball from his first "big league" hit to ; his father.

One ball signifying that Lopez has reached his dream of making it to the Majors. The other signifying that the success did not stop there, but keeps rolling 16 years after he started to prove the critics wrong.

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Atlantic League Stories from August 6, 2011


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