San Francisco Giants: Fan-Favorite Javier Lopez Retires from Baseball
By Keaton Moore
Despite rumors of continuing his career in 2017, four-time World Series champion Javier Lopez is stepping away from baseball.
On Wednesday, Javier Lopez announced his retirement after spending his final seven seasons with the San Francisco Giants. According to Ken Rosenthal, the reliever realized his time had come and accepted his retirement.
“More than anything, it’s just time,” Lopez said (per foxsports.com). “It’s a young man’s game. Although I think I can compete, it’s getting harder and harder to get ready for spring.”
Breaking into the major leagues in 2003 as a 25-year-old rookie, Lopez defied his age to build a respectable 14-season career. Following three seasons split between the Colorado Rockies and Arizona Diamondbacks, his free-agent signing to the Chicago White Sox in 2006 eventually led to his trade to the Boston Red Sox.
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Through his four-season stretch with the Red Sox, Lopez posted a 3.30 ERA through 172 games. During his second season in Boston, he faced his former team in the 2007 World Series to come out with his first championship.
Shortly into his second round of free agency in 2009, the Pittsburgh Pirates signed him away with a three-year. Although his time in Pittsburgh did not last long, his midseason trade to the Giants in 2009 pushed Lopez towards the best years of his career.
Along with Sergio Romo, Jeremy Affeldt and Santiago Casilla, Lopez became the fourth member of the core-four in the Giants’ bullpen. Two years following their victorious 2010 World Series, the Giants won their second championship since moving to San Francisco in 2012. Although he did not pitch in the 2012 World Series, Lopez nonetheless went home with another ring.
Upon his granted free agency in 2013, the Giants kept Lopez around for the another three years. His deal opened the door for Lopez to win his fourth World Series championship in 2014.
The Great Unknown
Regardless of the impact he made in San Francisco, the Giants did not pursue the left-hander this offseason. When it became clear the Giants left him our of their reshaping bullpen, Lopez entered free agency hopeful to continue his career. However, without any substantial offers on the table, Lopez made the difficult choice of ending his career.
“I’m looking forward to some other things in my life,” Lopez said (per nbcsports.com). “We’ll see what they are. I don’t know yet, but we’ll come up with something.”
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Now, Lopez embarks into the unknown of post-baseball life and retirement. He is sure to be remembered fondly by his teammates and in particular his agent, Barry Meister: “I’ve been representing players for over 30 years, and this is one of the finest human beings I’ve ever represented. He’s someone I look up to, not just as a player, but as a man. I love this guy.”