RB Resident Spotlight: Michael Lopez

Michael Lopez returned home Tuesday after a tour of duty in Afghanistan with the U.S. Navy and was honored by the Redondo Sunset Pony League for his servce.

''My wife said it was 34 weeks and two days, and she knows exactly when she dropped me off and when she picked me up,'' Lopez said, smiling. 

Hours after arriving at Los Angeles International Airport, Lopez received a heartfelt welcome home at Alta Vista Park. He threw out the ceremonial first pitch to his son Tristen, who pitches and plays catcher for the Red Sox, and between handshakes and hugs he got to watch as his Pony Leaguer took the mound against the White Sox. Yes, it was nice to be home.

''I got the DVDs recorded from grandma and grandpa. They burned the discs and it was nice to have that, but it's nothing like the real thing,'' Lopez said while watching the game. ''I'm really glad to be here.''

After arriving at home, Lopez popped over to Cal State Fullerton to visit his eldest son, Michael Jr., who was studying for final exams and then later got to relax with wife Connie, Tristen and daughter Emily.

''I got to see everybody,'' he said. ''It's just great.''

And, of course, he got to see some baseball.

''I love watching him play,'' Lopez said of Tristen. ''I love coaching him. I missed coaching him. I missed watching him play. I'm looking forward to watching him now.''

Welcome home, Dad.