Lopez caught over 9,000 innings in a Braves uniform, and, yes, some of them were with Maddux on the mound. In 1994, Maddux claimed the ERA crown with a 1.56, and Lopez was behind the plate for 22 of his 25 starts. Whatever rift — real or contrived by those watching from afar — existed, it was hard to argue the reality that as time went on, there was a disdain for pairing Lopez and Maddux. While Eddie Perez got the label of being Maddux’s personal catcher, Paul Bako, Henry Blanco and Charlie O’Brien all took turns in the role. While Perez had the most starts with Maddux (121), he had his best career ERA with O’Brien (1.61). Behind him? Lopez at 2.35, better than with Perez (2.52), but Lopez caught Maddux just 72 times, including fewer than six times from 1997-2003. They went from Sept. 8, 1998, to Sept. 28, 2003, without starting a game together, the only pitches Lopez caught from Maddux being off the bench. It’s staggering and considering that cost Lopez 35 starts in his historic 2003, makes you wonder what his final numbers could have looked like with those additional at-bats.