Page 36
Valrico Edition
Volume 18, Issue 10
BY LILY BELCHER
TAMPA BASEBALL MUSEUM NOW OPEN AT THE AL LOPEZ HOUSE YBOR On Saturday, to open it.” September 25, The museum is cuthe Tampa Baserated by the Ybor ball Museum City Museum Society. at the Al Lopez All memorabilia preHouse opened to sented in the Tampa the public. The Baseball Museum grand opening was donated by Tamwas hosted by pa locals, including Lou Piniella, forLou Piniella, the Tammer Major League pa Bay Rays OrgaBaseball player nization, and Bertha and manager, and Tony Saladino. with guests MayIt features history or Jane Castor on Tampa’s influence and Hillsborough on baseball, from Al County CommisLopez to Jake Woodsioner Pat Kemp. ford, Hillsborough Signed baseball by all 89 Hillsborough Al Lopez was County’s most recent Tampa Bay Rays exhibit in the County Major League Baseball Players. Seats and home plate from Al Lopez Field. Tampa’s first MaMajor Leaguer. Al Lopez Museum. players from Hillsborough County to sits next to the Hillsborough County jor League playThe museum is er, manager, and Hall of Fame induct- play in the majors and lived in Tampa Sheriff’s Office History Center on 19th open Thursday through Saturday street in Tampa’s National Landmark from 10 am to 4 pm for guests who ee. The backstop played with four until his death in 2005. His house was delivered to the muHistoric District. teams in his 19-year playing career in purchase tickets online (Adult tickets seum sight a mile from its original “We’ve been working on it ever $12; seniors, military, and students the Majors, posting a .261 batting average and holding the record for most location on May 15, 2013. The Ybor since with rehabilitation and creating $10; children $6). career games as a catcher for 40 City Museum Society has restored the exhibits and raising the money,” For more information, visit tamyears. The Tampa native was a two the house and developed it into a mu- said President and CEO of the Ybor pabaseballmuseum.org or contact time All Star and went on to manage seum that commemorates Lopez as City Museum Society Chantal Hevia. the museum by email at info@tam18 years until his retirement in 1969. well as Hillsborough County’s 88 oth- “Museums take a while to build and pabaseballmuseum.org or call 813Lopez was the first of 89 baseball er baseball legends. The museum now we’re excited that we are here today 247-1434.
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