Relief Pitcher #4—Aurelio Lopez
(with Tigers from 1979-1985)
5.6 fWAR, 3.8 bWAR
53-30, .639, 85 SV, 3.41 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, 713 IP 119 ERA+ (with Tigers)
I originally had this spot for Todd Jones, the Tigers’ career leader in saves, but I changed my mind and put Lopez here. I believe he was the better reliever. People who value saves more than I do will likely disagree.
Aurelio Lopez had a terrific nickname when he was in the big leagues: “Señor Smoke.” In Mexico, he was known as ”El Buitre de Tecamachaico,” which means The Vulture of Tecamachalco. Lopez was discovered in his hometown and pitched in the Mexican League as a teenager. When he was 25 years old he was signed by the Kansas City Royals. He pitched just eight games with Kansas City before heading back to the Mexican League.
Lopez is still a legend for his pitching in Mexico. During his career there, he put his name all over the record books. He was not only very good on the field, he was also incredibly popular off the field. There is a statue of him in Tecamachalco, Puebla.
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Four years after his short stint with the Royals, Lopez signed with the St. Louis Cardinals before the 1978 seasons. He only pitched one year there before being traded to Detroit prior to the 1979 season. Lopez was not the main player in the deal. He was sent to Detroit with Jerry Morales for Bob Sykes and minor leaguer John Murphy.
It was in Detroit that Aurelio Lopez was at his best. He went 10-5 with 21 saves in 1979, then was 13-6 with 21 saves in 1980. He pitched well in the strike-shortened 1981 season, then struggled in 1982.
Lopez made the all-star team for the only time in his career in 1983 when he had an impressive 2.81 ERA in 115 1/3 innings. He followed that up with a terrific 1984 season, going 10-1 with 14 saves and a 2.94 ERA in 137 2/3 innings. Señor Smoke and Guillermo (Willie) Hernandez were a dynamic one-two, righty-lefty punch at the back of the bullpen. Between them, they were 19-4, with 36 saves and a 2.42 ERA in 278 innings. They did the workload of four modern day relievers.
The innings put on Lopez’ arm over the 1983-84 seasons led to him wearing down at the end of the 1984 season. His struggles continued into the 1985 season in which he had a 4.80 ERA in 86 1/3 innings. Tigers manager Sparky Anderson lost all confidence in Lopez and the team released him after the season.
Next: Red Sox All-Time 25-Man Roster
Lopez wasn’t ready to call it quits, though. He pitched two more seasons with the Astros before walking off a big league mound for good after the 1987 season. He returned to his hometown of Tecamachalco and was elected mayor three years later, despite not really wanting to run. He said, “It really wasn’t my idea, but the people asked me to do it, and I couldn’t say no. This is my home. You can never forget where you come from.”
Detroit Tigers All-Time 25-Man Roster:
Starting Lineup
2B Charlie Gehringer
CF Ty Cobb
DH Miguel Cabrera
1B Hank Greenberg
RF Al Kaline
SS Alan Trammell
3B Travis Fryman
C Bill Freehan
LF Bobby Veach
Bench
C Lance Parrish
1B Norm Cash
2B Lou Whitaker
SS Dick McAuliffe
OF Harry Heilmann
OF Sam Crawford
Starting Rotation
SP Hal Newhouser
SP Justin Verlander
SP Mickey Lolich
SP Tommy Bridges
SP Dizzy Trout
SP Jack Morris
Relievers
RP John Hiller
RP Mike Henneman
RP Willie Hernandez
RP Aurelio Lopez
Just Missed the Cut (the next 10 players)
1B Rudy York
3B George Kell
SS Donie Bush
UT Tony Phillips
OF Willie Horton
OF Chet Lemon
OF Kirk Gibson
SP Hooks Dauss
SP George Mullin
RP Hank Aguirre