It looks like Javy Lopez's career might have reached an end today with his release from the Rockies spring training camp. Lopez, 36, would prefer to remain behind the plate instead of moving back to the AL to DH. Either way, it is highly doubtful that he'll be able to catch on with a major-league ballclub at this stage of the game

So, I thought it would be an appropriate time to find his place in catching history. Lopez has had a pretty good career behind the plate, but could he possibly be Hall-worthy? And what of his great 2003 season (43 HR, 109 RBI, .328 batting average, and 1.065 OPS), where does it fall in the list of great years by a catcher? Let's see…

Here are the best players whose primary position was behind the plate ranked by career Win Shares, including all current Hall-of-Fame catchers:

Note that Piazza and Pudge are not yet eligible and are pretty close to locks. Torre will go in as a manager whenever he decides to hang 'em up. Even Jorge Posada, who should have a few more years to improve his case, is already ahead of Lopez along with thirteen others who are not in the Hall. Consider that there are just thirteen catchers

Long story short, Lopez has almost no shot at the Hall, especially given that his best asset was his offense during the steroid era. But before he fades in our memories, let's take a quick at his peak to see if that makes his case:

OK, let's wish Javy a nice retirement and hope that he hasn't booked the flight to Cooperstown in six years, unless he wants to listen to Jeff Bagwell's induction speech in person.