Living a Dream
by Matthew Crumplar
Medallion Reporter
Journalism Period 3

“I was a little shocked because I never felt that a trade would be an option. I thought that I would just go back to the Diamondbacks if I did not make the Red Sox club.” responded Javier Lopez when asked how he felt after the Boston Red Sox traded him to the Colorado Rockies for “future considerations,” on March 18, 2003.

In Issue two of The Medallion this year, Wes Shaw introduced you to Javier Lopez, a former Robinson student and current major league baseball player. Javier was Virginia Northern Region Player of the Year in 1995, in addition to his All-State and All-Met honors. He shares the Rams record for strikeouts in a game with Evan Williams (15), holds the mark for strikeouts in a season (104 in 1995), and is second on the all-time list for strikeouts during his career (133). After Robinson he moved on to the University of Virginia, where he played through his junior year, until drafted by the Arizona Diamondbacks in 1998. Javier spent five years in the Diamondbacks farm system (minor leagues) before being selected by the Red Sox in the Rule 5 Draft on December 16, 2002.

After being part of the Red Sox organization for a short period of time he was traded to the Rockies, compiling a 3.09 earned run average in 12 games during this past spring training.

Corresponding by e-mail, The Medallion caught up with Javier and asked him a few questions about life in the big leagues.

The Medallion: What has been your favorite part about playing in the major leagues?

Javier Lopez: Seeing the amount of fans and playing with and against guys that I have watched on T.V. all my life.

TM: What has been your favorite stadium you have played at? Why?

JL: Wrigley Field in Chicago because of the history surrounding both the Cubs and the field itself. The Cubs have not won a world Series in over 80 years and the ballpark has been home to baseball since 1918.

TM: What do you least like about playing pro ball? Why?

JL: Being away from the ones you love for half of the year. You get tired of talking on the phone everyday but it has been good so far this year with friends and family being able to visit regularly.

TM: Who is your best friend on the Rockies?

JL: I have not locked in on one particular guy but they all are great friends and teammates.

TM: Who was the toughest hitter you faced this year?

JL: Steve Finley almost gave me a heart attack in Phoenix when we played the D-backs a few weeks ago. He hit the ball to the warning track in right but Larry Walker was there to haul it in for the third out.

TM: Who has been the most influential person in your baseball career?

JL: A couple of people could probably share in this award but I must say for the record, since this a Robinson paper, that my mother has pushed me to succeed more than anyone else. Happy Mother's Day!

As of May 6, 2003 Javier has pitched in 14 games, posting a 1.69 ERA. He has recorded 1 win for the Rockies, who as of May 6, have a team record of 16-16. Javier has struck out 9 hitters and walked only 2 in 10 2/3 innings pitched.