Seattle Mariners: Jose Lopez wins a year of beer for home run
By David Hill
Remember former Seattle Mariners infielder Jose Lopez? He is still playing baseball in Japan, and won an excellent prize.
There was a time when the Seattle Mariners expected Jose Lopez to be a key part of their lineup. He was a top 100 prospect, and made the All Star Game in his first full season in 2004. Lopez had a bit of pop, reaching the double digit mark in homers in each of his last five seasons in Seattle. Just 27 when he was traded to the Colorado Rockies, Lopez appeared to have his major league career ahead of him.
Instead, Lopez struggled in Colorado, leading to his being released in June 2011. The signed with the Indians two days later, beginning his time as a baseball vagabond, as he bounced to the Marlins and White Sox in the following season. Finally, in 2013, and without a major league offer coming, Lopez packed his bags for Japan, finding a home with Yomiuri Giants.
After two solid years, Lopez found himself with the Yokohama Bay Stars. There, he emerged as a slugging first baseman, hitting 89 home runs in his first three seasons in Yokohama. However, it was his home run that he hit on Tuesday that he may be the most proud of, especially considering the reward.
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That one million Yen is pretty cool in its own right, a nice payday for for hitting a home run. But the real prize is that year’s supply of Kirin. In that picture, Lopez appears to barely be able to contain himself, ecstatic at the idea of all that beer. Yes, getting that cash prize is nice and all, but one million Yen works out to just over $9000. It’s still a good sum of money for hitting a ball a long way, but that is literally less than Lopez was making per day in 2011 with the Colorado Rockies.
For his part, Lopez is not satisfied with hitting that billboard only once. He is taking aim at that sign once again, as he wants the team to enjoy it as well. Considering his self proclaimed love of beer, and how much he appears to be looking forward to his prize, that sign hanging over the bleachers may not be safe for long.
There are certain things that will bring joy to anyone. Belting a key home run, helping a team to victory, and a nice cold beer certainly fit under that criteria. In one swing of the bat, Lopez got to enjoy all three, and get a nice little payday as well.
Jose Lopez was supposed to be a future star for the Milwaukee Brewers. instead, he found a home in Japan, and an impressive haul of Kirin.