Javy Lopez Q & A

Javy Lopez was a mainstay at catcher for the Braves during their glory years. He provided power from behind the plate from his rookie year of 1994 until 2003, his final season with the club, when he set the major-league single-season record for a catcher with 42 home runs. Lopez actually hit 43 that season, but one came as a pinch hitter, so 42 stands as the mark. He officially retired in 2008, and in 2009, started Bones Bat, a company that produces hardwood bats. Lopez runs the company from his suburban Atlanta home and spends much of his time with his wife Gina, his sons from his first marriage Javier, 16, and Kelvin, 12 and their 1-year-old son Brody. Lopez became an author earlier last month, when Behind the Plate: A Catchers View of the Braves Dynasty, which was co-wrote by Gary Caruso, was published. He recently spoke to FoxSportsSouth.com about the book, which details his life growing up in Puerto Rico, his rise through the minors, time with the Braves, Baltimore and Boston, and personal life. Q: How