CELEBRATING THE LIFE OF HECTOR LOPEZ

1929 – 2022

Hector was born to Manuel Headley Lopez and Maude Swainson on July 8^th, 1929, in the Province of Colon, Republic of Panama. His mother was very instrumental in harvesting Hector’s early desire for playing baseball. In 1949, his mother took him to see the visiting Yankees baseball team who was playing against Panama’s National Teams in Silver City, Panama Canal Zone.

During the baseball season, the youth would play baseball in the streets. The bat was simple a broomstick and the ball was made of tape and paper. At every corner of the City of Colon, one could see a grouping of older men listening to the radio with such contagious enthusiasm. Just imagine the ethos this environment offered to young children. Is there any doubt in one’s mind that Hector’s experience with his mother and his street baseball playing friends propelled Hector to become one of the most famous and revered athletes in the history of baseball in the Republic of Panama. Hector Headley Lopez Swainson, the first black Latino to play for the New York Yankees, passed away on Thursday, September 29^th, 2022, at the age of 93 in Hudson, Florida. Hector Lopez was a pioneer who paved the way and opened many doors for a lot of Panamanian baseball players. In Panama, he is as revered as Don Hector, which is an honorific title given in the Spanish Culture.

In 1954 he met Claudette Brown. Six years later they tied the knot and from this union came their two sons Unique and Darrol. On May 12th, 1955, Hector made his Major League debut with the Kansas City Athletics as only the seond Panamanian ever to play in major league baseball. In 1957, he set the Franchise all-time hitting streak record with a hit in 22 consecutive games. After four years in Kansas City, he was traded to the New York Yankees in May 1959, which was also his best statistical year. He hit 22 home runs, 93 runs batted in, and a .283 batting average. In New York, he really flourished while playing with great players like Yogi Berra, Whitey Ford; and sharing the outfield with Roger Maris and Mickey Mantle.

From 1960-1964 he appeared in five consecutive World Series games, winning two World Series rings in 1961 and 1962. In game 5 of the 1961 World Series, he homered and tripled, driving in 5 runs. A World Series Record.

He was runner-up for the World Series MVP (Willie Mays World Series Most Valuable Player Award).

After his playing career was over, he made history once again by becoming the first black Latino manager in Triple-A baseball history when he was hired by Hall of Famer Ted Williams for the Buffalo Bisons. He also had his own business called Hector Lopez Shortstop and Lounge in Brooklyn, NY.

Hector was a soft-spoken man. He maintained a perennial smile on his face at first contact with people.  He never hesitated in signing autographs and taking pictures with his fans.

While residing in Lakeview, Long Island, NY, Hector worked for the Town of Hempstead for 20 years and coached baseball at Malvern High School, where his sons and granddaughters starred in sports. He was a stalwart in the Lakeview community. He was admired and loved by all.  Hector Lopez Little League was created in his honor.

This brings to memory a moment in time when I was approached by one of my colleagues at school who knew I was Hector’s brother. He had a disabled friend who was a devoted fan of Hector. He asked me if I could arrange a visit for him to meet Hector. My brother did not hesitate to grant his disabled fan’s desires. Hector made an appointment and visit to his fan at his home. I was happy they were able to reminisce on Hector’s days of playing baseball.  This shows the humbleness and demeanor of my brother.

In 1992, Mr. George Steinbrenner and the New York Yankees came calling and Hector and Claudette moved to Hudson, Florida. There he would manage Darryl Strawberry, Bernie Williams, and the core four of Derek Jeter, Jorge Posada, Andy Pettitte, and his fellow Panamanian Mariano Rivera.

In 2009, he managed his native Panama in the World Baseball Classic. Although he was very well known in Panama whenever he was there his focus was on spending time with family. He loved playing golf and attending the Yankees Old Timers Day in which he appeared for over 50 years.

Hector was preceded in death by Manuel Headley Lopez (Father), and Maude Swainson (Mother).

He is survived by his wife Claudette; sons Unique and Darrol (Rosey); grandchildren Shabazz, Makesi, Collette, Tatiana, and Alexis; great-grandchildren Alivia, Yanique, Jayden, Camren, and Nevaeh; brothers Manuel H. Lopez, Eduardo L. Lopez, Dilcia H. Lopez; sister-in-law Carmen A. de Lopez; stepbrother Henry Bradfield; as well as a host of nephews, nieces, grandnieces, and grandnephews. Hector will be remembered as a family man, a loving husband, a Father and Grandfather. His grandchildren and great-grandchildren were his joy.