PHOENIX — What started as a family activity over the weekend for Rodrigo Lopez, his parents, and his older brother, has become his career and it’s taken him to places he never imagined. In his last adventure, he’s head of the team representing his birth country in the most important event in the world of baseball.
Rodrigo Lopez was a pitcher with the MLB for over a decade. After his retirement as a player, he became one of the Spanish sportscasters for the Arizona Diamondbacks and now he’s general manager for the team representing Mexico in the World Baseball Classic.
>> VERSIÓN EN ESPAÑOL: Rodrigo López: Sus inicios en el béisbol, su carrera como cronista de los D-backs y ahora gerente general de la selección mexicana en el Clásico
His inspiration
Fernando “El Toro” Valenzuela made history when he joined Los Angeles Dodgers in the 80s. The Mexican baseball player inspired the “Fernandomania” in his country of birth and inspired many players in his country. That was Lopez’s case.
“That was what got me started in the beautiful sport, later I started playing in little leagues in Mexico”, said Lopez.
Lopez said that his family, Valenzuela, and being able to identify his talent helped him succeed in a part of the country where soccer is more popular than baseball.
“I started being successful and I think that was important because I played soccer and I didn’t succeed,” he said smiling.
Playing professional baseball
Lopez was only 17 when he was signed by Aguila de Veracruz in Mexico. And it only took a couple of years for him to cross borders when the San Diego Padres signed him in a minor league, but he was on his way up.
“I get to the Major League in 2000, but I was established as a starter until 2002 with the Baltimore Orioles”, humbly shared Lopez, who at that time was runner up for rookie of the year.
He played for 11 seasons with Colorado, Atlanta, Philadelphia, Chicago, and Arizona.
He also represented México in several World Classics, the Caribbean Series, and played in the Winter League with Los Tomateros de Culiacan.
Lopez retired as a player from MLB but started his adventure as a sportscaster with the Diamondbacks. He’ll start his 10th season with the team.
“I think my knowledge about the game and the experience behind the microphone analyzing teams and plays has taken me to where I am at today”, he mentioned.
A new opportunity
It never crossed Lopez’s mind that he was going to become a professional player or play with an MLB team, but his recent position was one of the least expected.
“An opportunity presents itself to be selected to represent a country, in this case, Mexico. I never imagined it. I got the surprise call, get the offer and here I am, enjoying this new stage after being a baseball player," Lopez shared.
In this new responsibility as general manager of the Mexican Team, Lopez goes back to his beginnings of family support.
“My wife has a lot of knowledge about the sport, I talk to her, and she gives me her opinion. She supports me, she’s with me as well as my two kids,” he said.
That’s why it’s important for him to make it all about family with the team.
“I set an example to create a family-oriented atmosphere. I bring my wife and encourage the players to get theirs involve as well. I think that helps the players be more focused on the game and perform better”.
The goal for him and his team is to win the championship. But to begin, he recognizes that within his group (Group C), the U.S. is probably the strongest of their rivals.
“This 2023, it’s going to be historic for Mexico, we’ll make it further (than) the previous four championships. Because of the system that they have this time around, single game elimination, Mexico has a fundamental element in baseball, pitchers.”
The World Baseball Classic
Mexico opens the Classic in Phoenix on Sat. March 11 vs. Colombia at 12:30 p.m.
On Sunday, the expected game, Mexico vs. USA is also at Chase Field at 7 p.m.
The first round of Group C ends on Wednesday, March 15, for the Classic to move to Miami, Florida for quarter-finals between Groups C and D.
Semifinals will be played in Miami on the 19 and 20, and the Championship on March 21.
