Felipe Lopez: The Secret Weapon’s Apprentice

TL;DR

Felipe Lopez, once released by a last-place team, hit .385 for the St. Louis Cardinals in 2008 under the mentorship of Jose Oquendo. His remarkable two-month performance showcased his versatility and resilience.

Key points

Felipe Lopez hit .385 for the St. Louis Cardinals in 2008.
He was mentored by Jose Oquendo, known as 'The Secret Weapon.'
Lopez played six different positions during his hot streak.
He pitched a scoreless inning against the Mets in 2010.
Lopez's story highlights resilience and second chances.

Mentioned in this story

Felipe LopezJose Oquendo

St. Louis CardinalsLos Angeles DodgersNew York Mets

ST. LOUIS - JULY 16: Felipe Lopez #3 of the St. Louis Cardinals fields a ground ball against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Busch Stadium on July 16, 2010 in St. Louis, Missouri. The Cardinals beat the Dodgers 8-4. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images) | Getty Images How does a player go from being released by a last-place team to hitting .385 for the St. Louis Cardinals in the span of a single week? In this installment of Random Cardinal of the Week, Jim Plaza dives into the fascinating, “roller coaster” career of utility man Felipe Lopez. A former top-10 pick and Silver Slugger winner, Lopez hit rock bottom in 2008 with a negative WAR and a mid-season release from the Nationals. But when he landed in the St. Louis clubhouse, something clicked. Under the mentorship of “The Secret Weapon” Jose Oquendo, Lopez didn’t just find his swing—he became a statistical anomaly. We look back at his legendary two-month sprint in 2008 where he played six different positions and posted a nearly 1.000 OPS, helping bridge the gap for a Cardinals franchise in the midst of a massive front-office transition. In this episode, we discuss: The Oquendo Effect: How Jose Oquendo rebuilt Lopez’s defense and mental approach to transform him from a “bust” back into a weapon. The 2008 Hot Streak: A deep dive into the 43 games where Lopez hit an unbelievable .385 and became the ultimate La Russa-era Swiss Army Knife. The 18th-Inning Hero: On the 16th anniversary of the feat (April 17, 2010), we recount the night Lopez stepped onto the mound against the Mets and threw a scoreless inning to save an exhausted bullpen. The Transition Era: Where Lopez fit in the roster shuffle between the 2006 championship and the 2011 “10.5 games back” miracle. Whether you remember him for his switch-hitting prowess or his lone career pitching appearance, Felipe Lopez’s story is a masterclass in resilience and the power of a second chance in The Lou. Listen now and subscribe to the Redbird Rundown for your weekly dose of Cardinals history! : : :

Q&A

What caused Felipe Lopez's transformation with the St. Louis Cardinals?

Felipe Lopez transformed under the mentorship of Jose Oquendo, who helped rebuild his defense and mental approach.

How did Felipe Lopez perform during his hot streak in 2008?

During his hot streak in 2008, Felipe Lopez hit an impressive .385 over 43 games, showcasing his ability to play multiple positions.

What notable achievement did Felipe Lopez have on April 17, 2010?

On April 17, 2010, Felipe Lopez made a memorable appearance by pitching a scoreless inning against the Mets, saving the bullpen.

Felipe Lopez: The Secret Weapon’s Apprentice

TL;DR

Key points

Q&A

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