Albie Lopez is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who played for several teams during his career. He was born on August 18, 1971, in Mesa, Arizona, and attended Mesa High School. After high school, he was drafted by the Cleveland Indians in the 20th round of the 1991 MLB draft.
Lopez made his MLB debut with the Indians in 1993, but he only appeared in one game that season. He spent the next few years bouncing between the minor leagues and the majors, playing for the Indians, the Arizona Diamondbacks, and the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.
Lopez had his best season in 2001 when he was a member of the Atlanta Braves. He went 7-2 with a 3.05 ERA in 15 starts that season and helped the Braves win the National League East division title. He also pitched in the postseason that year, making two appearances in the NLCS against the Diamondbacks.
After his stint with the Braves, Lopez played for the Baltimore Orioles, the Colorado Rockies, and the Kansas City Royals. He retired from baseball after the 2003 season with a career record of 66-72 and a 4.94 ERA.
Throughout his career, Lopez was known for his sinkerball, which he used to induce ground balls and get double plays. He also had a good changeup and a slider that he used to keep hitters off balance.
Off the field, Lopez was known for his charitable work. He was involved with several organizations that helped children, including the Make-A-Wish Foundation and the Boys and Girls Club.
In conclusion, Albie Lopez had a solid career as a Major League Baseball pitcher, playing for several teams over the course of a decade. He had his best season with the Atlanta Braves in 2001 and was known for his sinkerball and charitable work off the field.
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