The new Chicago White Sox player, Nicky Lopez, is having the most memorable offseason of his life.
That was true even before receiving recognition on Friday that he considers one of his top achievements.
“The offseason has been full of events.Lopez remarked, "It has definitely been eventful. A day before my wedding, I was traded from the Braves to the White Sox."
"That was something I will always appreciate, being able to come back and play for a hometown team, which is very special."
Being inducted into the Naperville Central Athletic Hall of Fame is equally special for 28-year-old Lopez, who graduated from the school in 2013 after participating in varsity baseball and basketball. Candace Parker, Anthony Parker, Owen Daniels, Sean Payton and Casey Krueger.
"Without a doubt, it's up there in significance, not only for me but also for my family," Lopez said. "This is where it all began.
This is a steppingstone for the journey that I’m still on. So that’s what I’m most thankful for, that I’m coming back and seeing all the teachers who have helped me become who I am. That’s why it’s a little bit more special."
Among those teachers are Naperville Central basketball coach Pete Kramer and baseball coach Mike Stock, who were proud to be part of the induction ceremony held before the boys basketball game against Neuqua Valley.
"With it being Nicky, there was a lot of excitement in the building, and that would have been the case even if he was playing for the Braves," Stock said. "But the fact he’s with the Sox adds another layer.
"It’s just a blast. It’s one of the rewards that you get from being around people like this all the time. We want to make sure we slow it down and celebrate. He’s a great young man from a great family."
Also inducted were 2006 graduate Erica Carter, who helped Naperville Central’s girls basketball team win two state titles and scored more than 1,000 points at Binghamton; pioneering female athlete Lois Madsen, a 1975 graduate who became the first person to earn a full volleyball scholarship at Northern Illinois; wrestling star Rodney Landorf, a 1962 graduate who became an Army officer and received a Bronze Star in the Vietnam War; and late wrestling coach Bill Young.
"I haven’t been back to Naperville since a few months after I graduated," Carter said. "There are so many amazing times that happened throughout high school and my athletic career.
"Walking through the hallways, it brings back a lot of good memories, and I feel honored to be a part of the Hall of Fame. I know there are so many student-athletes that go through the building at Naperville Central, and it’s just been a day full of amazing memories."
Lopez’s family, including his parents Bob and Angela and brothers Bobby and Anthony, still lives in Naperville. Angela Lopez presented him for induction.
"Obviously, this honor is humbling," Nicky Lopez said. "You always hear each year of people getting inducted, so to be able to add to the list is awesome."
After finishing at Naperville Central, Lopez played baseball at Creighton and was chosen by the Kansas City Royals in the fifth round of the 2016 MLB draft. When the Royals brought him up in 2019, he became the initial Naperville Central alumnus to compete in the major leagues.
Lopez, who has a .249/.312/.319 career slash line, was a Gold Glove finalist at second base in 2020 and became the first Royals shortstop to hit .300 in 2021. He played parts of five seasons in Kansas City before being traded in July to the Braves, whom he helped win the National League East title.
Lopez expressed his excitement in joining the White Sox, who obtained him in November.
“I grew up attending White Sox games,” he said. “I attended Game 2 of the World Series in 2005, so just having the opportunity to wear the jersey, wow, it’s cool.”
Long recognized for his modest, dedicated approach to the game, Lopez is quick to share credit for his rise.
“When you come to high school, obviously you’re there to learn, but you’re there to grow and also learn life lessons, and these teachers every step of the way helped mold me,” he said. “Whether it was my English teacher or math teacher, we’ve all had conversations with them that have helped me get to where I’m at.
“I can’t thank them enough. They’ve done so good by me with all the respect and love that they’ve shown, and I keep in touch with them.”
Matt Le Cren is a freelance reporter for the Naperville Sun.
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