RIP - Hector Lopez

 

Hector Lopez, who played for the Athletics and Yankees from 1955-1966, passed away on September 29, 2022 at age 93.

Lopez made his debut with the Kansas City Athletics in May 1955, and was a regular at 3B and 2B for the next 4 seasons. 

 

Traded to the Yankees in May 1959, he transitioned to left field that year, replacing incumbent Norm Siebern late in the season. Lopez was the primary left fielder from 1960 to 1963, except for 1961 when Yogi Berra started almost 80 games there. 

 

By 1964, Lopez had been replaced by Tom Tresh, and except for manning right field for much of 1965 (in Roger Maris' absence), Hector finished out his Yankees' career as a backup outfield. 

 

Released after the 1966 season, he played 2 seasons with the Senators' AAA team. In 1969 he managed that team, becoming the first black manager at the triple-A level.  

 

New York Times obituary