AJC > Sports > Columnists > Archives > 2008 > March > 01 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USLopez still has something to prove
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Jeff Schultz
Lake Buena Vista, Fla. — One day after proving the parts can still move in harmony, even if the memory may require some updates, Javy Lopez was back in his new role of desperate rookie Saturday.
He dropped into a crouch down the right-field line, then quickly stood to throw to a teammate in shallow center. He visualized base stealers as he practiced throws from home to second. He stretched. He ran. He swung. He alternated drills with an obscurity, Corky Miller, who has spent most of his 10 pro seasons in the minors.
If you ever wondered what it looked like to see a former $22 million free agent go back to school, this was it.
“I can’t have the attitude that I’m just here to get ready for the season,” Lopez said. “I’m here to make the team. I have to prove that there’s some baseball left in me. Time is gold for me.”
It happens in sports. Skills fade but desire grows. The trick is knowing whether one compensates for the other.
Lopez is in camp as a non-roster player. It’s symbolic that his cubicle is at one end of the Braves’ clubhouse and a horseshoe of lockers representing the teams’ core is at the other: Teixeira-Kotsay-Francoeur-Hudson-McCann-Smoltz-Glavine-Jones.
He is not the 32-year-old, 43-homer, All-Star who fell into riches. He is a 37-year-old who went from the Braves to Baltimore to Boston to unwanted. His home-run totals the past four years: 23-15-8-0 (when he was out of baseball).
Lopez has a pretty good chance to win the job as catcher Brian McCann’s backup. He is lighter (218 pounds) and leaner than he has been in years, but showed he still has some power when he homered in his first spring at-bat against Los Angeles. It’s the defensive aspect of his game that he and the Braves are most concerned about, and there was evidence to support that concern Friday.
Lopez relayed an incorrect sign from coaches who had wanted him to throw to second on a steal attempt. He didn’t realize that he actually signaled to infielders that he wouldn’t throw to second but instead check the runner at third. So Lopez threw to second and nobody was there. A run scored. Another runner advanced.
Lopez’s explanation: “I know the sign we had here in the past. I thought it was still the same.”
The comment amused Cox — somewhat.
“We’ve changed things a few times in the last few years,” he said.
Lopez understands 2003 is not going to buy him any votes. His production in Baltimore never matched what he did that last season with the Braves. He had health issues. He wasn’t enamored with Orioles’ management — nor they of him. He fell so far that Baltimore drop-kicked him to Boston for the dreaded “player to be named later or cash considerations.”
It sounded better than: Just go.
Lopez spent a year out of baseball. He got in shape and started training with Braves coach Chino Cadahia, who gave frequent updates to general manager Frank Wren. Wren was pretty much sold by early December. One day, he dropped his kids off at Landmark Christian High School in Fairburn — and saw Lopez working out on one of the fields.
“It must’ve been 40 degrees,” Wren said.
He signed Lopez to a minor-league deal. Lopez’s salary if he makes the roster: about $750,000. There’s a wakeup call.
Said Chipper Jones: “Once you hit your mid-30s, especially playing that position, you mature real fast. Javy knows he’s not going to hit 40 home runs. He knows B-Mac [McCann] is the man now. He just wants to play.”
Lopez acknowledges he’s not the same guy.
“Let’s put it this way: My work ethic now is a lot stronger,” he said. “I’m not the every day guy now, and my work ethic needs to be stronger to warrant my position. It’s a different mentality. I’m trying to listen more. I’m trying to do that little extra work that before I didn’t do, for whatever reason. At this point of my career, everything counts.”
Lopez looked around the clubhouse.
“I think some of these guys were two years old when I signed with the Braves,” he said. “Oh my God.”
Reminded that a few members of the starting rotation weren’t in the room, he said, “True, but they’re on the team. I’m not there yet.”
Permalink | Comments (21) | Post your comment | Categories: Braves / MLB, Jeff Schultz
Comments
By Gene
March 1, 2008 7:21 PM | Link to this
It would be a great sports story if Javy makes the team, and I hope that he does. He looked pretty good yesterday.
By Parker
March 1, 2008 7:41 PM | Link to this
I also hope Javy makes the team. Not strictly for sentimental purposes, though having some of the old Braves back who left in free agency certainly feels great. I hate when players leave for new contracts. But I feel Javy has some baseball left in him. He did well in his first spring game and he seems to be fit. He actually hit .375 last spring training with Colorado, which really isn’t all that bad. And a solid backup catcher is something we’ve lacked since McCann was the backup.
By T to the D
March 1, 2008 7:45 PM | Link to this
He’ll make it as a pintch hitter…
Know why? Has the power to keep the head of the bat back and hit to the off field.
He’ll be unique in the fact he’s the back-up catcher and the pre-mo pinch hitter, w/ our left fielder doing back up backstop roles.
Javy may have 110 p.a.’s…
By T to the D
March 1, 2008 7:47 PM | Link to this
AND…
Snap throw to first.
By Greg
March 1, 2008 8:13 PM | Link to this
He’s got a great bat and will be quicker standing up to throw at 218, but the Braves will only keep two catchers. Sadly, he probably won’t make it.
By Sid
March 1, 2008 8:26 PM | Link to this
Who is the other catcher the braves are going to keep?
Pena? LOL he makes Piazza look like a good glove C
Sammons? I would agree with you but I think the braves will go with Javy over Clint unless Javy completely bombs
Which doesn’t look likley.
By JG
March 1, 2008 10:48 PM | Link to this
I love you, Javy. Good to see him back out there in Hotlanta where he belongs.
By Rick M
March 2, 2008 12:03 AM | Link to this
Always liked Javy but Braves need to focus on a solid defensive backup especially if mccann has any injuries. We have enough hitting. Need to focus on defense and pitching. a great defensive catcher and pitch caller is too often over-looked.
By Bravesfan79
March 2, 2008 12:27 AM | Link to this
I wanted the Braves to bring him back last year… i know he could of done better than wilson, or woodcrap trying to pinchit!
Glad to have ya back Javy! Now ill finially have faith in our bench again..
By Bravesfan79
March 2, 2008 12:39 AM | Link to this
Rick: If Mccann has any injuries we can bring up a defensive catcher from the minors. Having a weak bench is what KILLED us the first half of last year.. this year will be different!
By richbrave
March 2, 2008 7:34 AM | Link to this
Nice article on Lopez. Good luck Javy.
By thisistheyear
March 2, 2008 8:33 AM | Link to this
To Rick M….you say the braves have enough hitting, and yes they have a great line-up, but they have NO power from the bench, they have no decent pinch hitters period. Javy would be filling 2 roles in that regard.
By Patrick
March 2, 2008 8:39 AM | Link to this
Javy, Great job You have worked hard for this and you deserve it.
I believe.
By Jim H.
March 2, 2008 9:03 AM | Link to this
Sounds like his attitude and work ethic are great. With age comes maturity and wisdom lots of times (speaking as an “old fart” ). Hope he makes it…it would be nice to have that power bat on the bench.
By jeffc
March 2, 2008 9:22 AM | Link to this
Javy’s better in his old age than McCann ever will be.
By stanley sisson
March 2, 2008 9:30 AM | Link to this
WELCOME BACK JAVY HOPE YOU MAKE THE TEAM.HOPE YOU FINISH YOU CAREER WITH THE BRAVES.
By Workinlkeadawg
March 2, 2008 12:37 PM | Link to this
To Jeff: Don’t dis McCann He’s in his prime not even, but is injury prone. Hope Javy makes the squad like all have said he’d be the best ph the Braves are gonna find. The issue the Braves better start looking at is…..whose gonna be their CF, Kotsay isn’t the answer.
By Breeze3232
March 2, 2008 1:39 PM | Link to this
Javy Rocks! The guy is more motivated than he’s been in years and he’s got the talent to back up his desire! Plus…his wife Gina is pretty cool too!
By Eric from MO
March 2, 2008 2:25 PM | Link to this
I really hope Lopez can learn 1st base. That way we can carry 3 catchers with Sammons as the other and trade Thorman. Then Lopez could also be the backup 1st baseman for those 5-10 games Tex doesnt start.
By McFann©
March 2, 2008 2:44 PM | Link to this
Jeffc
“I will not insult your intelligence by suggesting that you really believe what you just said.”
By Jaye
March 2, 2008 5:04 PM | Link to this
The Atlanta Braves are taking back million-dollar Tom Glavine, who has questionable heart. Why not take dirt-cheap Javy Lopez who has heart, undoubtedly? Heart, after all, would be the only lasting impression these fading stars could leave behind with these youngsters. Go Javy! Go Braves!