"Hector Lopez, born in Colon, Panama, was an Athletic for four seasons until acquired by the Yankees early in '59. Hec hammered a respectable .283, hit 22 homers and drove in 93 runs last season. After a rough session at third base, he was moved to left field where he surprised with a steady fielding job.
Now 27, Hec expects to get into the .300 class in '60. Another line-drive banger, Hec is quite adept at hitting to right field."
-Don Schiffer, 1960 Mutual Baseball Annual
1959
April 29: Playing for A's, four RBI's on home run and two singles to beat Senators, 7-6.
May 15: Beats Senators, 4-2, on two-run homer in 7th.
May 23: Hits home run, triple, double in 16-0 rout of White Sox.
May 24: Four RBIs on triple and double as A's down White Sox again.
May 26: Traded to Yankees with Ralph Terry for Johnny Kucks, Tom Sturdivant and Jerry Lumpe.
June 4: Four RBIs on home run and double in rout of Tigers.
June 9: Beats A's, 9-8, in 13th with third hit.
June 17: Gets three hits in 7-3 win over White Sox.
June 23: Gets four hits in 10-2 rout of A's.
June 26: Hits two-run homer in 8-4 win over White Sox.
June 27: Hits two home runs but Yankees lose to White Sox, 5-4.
July 22: Hits two-run homer and two singles in win.
July 25: Makes three errors at third in loss to Tigers.
August 10: Gets three hits in 7-4 win over Red Sox.
August 18: In left field, hits home run and single in 5-3 win over Tigers.
August 21: Gets four hits and three RBIs as Yanks down A's, 9-7.
September 16: Beats White Sox, 3-1, with single in 6th.
Comment: "Lopez is a power hitter who brings home runs but is a security risk in the infield. Perhaps he'll do better in the outfield."
-Joe Sheehan, Dell Sports Magazine Baseball, April 1960
"Last year was Hector Lopez's most productive in his five major league seasons. He hit a career high of 22 home runs and had 93 runs batted in. The latter figure was tops among the Yankees, although Hec did not join the Bombers until May 26 from Kansas City.
He was moved from the outfield to third base by Manager Casey Stengel and this year he has been trying to become a better right fielder. A strong late-inning hitter with power to all fields, Lopez is making an effort to improve his defensive play and remain in the lineup every day. He hit three homers in one game against Washington for the A's in 1958.
At 27, Hector, a native of Colon, Panama, has a bright future ahead of him."
-The New York Yankees Official 1960 Yearbook
Hector Headly Lopez (OF) #11
Born July 8, 1932 in Colon, Panama where he resides. Height: 5-11 1/2, weight: 176
-The New York Yankees Official 1960 Yearbook
"Listed as an outfielder for the first time in his career, the Panamanian slugger, Hector Lopez, has been slated for right field duty by manager Casey Stengel.
Lopez, who'll be 28 in July, came up to the American League with Kansas City in 1955 after four seasons in the minors. He remained with the Athletics until last May when the Yankees obtained him along with pitcher Ralph Terry for Tom Sturdivant, Johnny Kucks and Jerry Lumpe.
Hec batted .283 and reached his big league high in home runs (22) and runs batted in (93), giving him the team leadership in the latter department. With a .279 lifetime average in the A.L., Lopez is almost certain to win a starting berth. His fielding, however, has left much to be desired. Casey feels that the switch from third to the outfield will be beneficial for the six-footer, both in the field and at bat.
Hector's best day in the majors was with Kansas City when he connected for three homers against Washington in June of 1958. His highest batting mark in big league play was .294 in 1957."
-New York Yankees 1960 Yearbook (Jay Publishing Co.)
"Hector Lopez hit for about the same .283 average this year as he did in 1959, but his home run and RBI production dropped this year. But this native of Panama contributed mightily to the attack when he returned to the starting lineup shortly after mid-season. A good opposite field hitter, Hector has been the ideal No. 2 man in the batting order."
-1960 World Series Official Souvenir Program
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