MLB
World Series champ, MLB shortstop Julio Lugo dies at 45
Former MLB shortstop and 2007 World Series champion Julio Lugo has died at the age of 45, presumably of a heart attack. He was a day shy of turning 46.
Julio Lugo, a former MLB shortstop who won the 2007 World Series with the Boston Red Sox has died, with the cause of death presumed to be a heart attack. He died while leaving a gym in his native Dominican Republic, according to ESPN.
He was a day shy of turning 46.
Role in 2007 World Series win
The former shortstop played an important part in the 2007 World Series victory of the Red Sox during his first year with Boston, hitting .281 in the postseason. He went 5-for-13 throughout the Fall Classic four-game sweep over the Colorado Rockies.
Born in the Dominican Republic, Lugo attended high school in Fort Hamilton in Brooklyn, where he had a batting average of .350.
The Dominican was selected by the Houston Astros in the 43rd round of the 1994 MLB draft out of Connors State College in Oklahoma. He made his major league debut with the Astros in April 2000 at the age of 24.
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Astros exit following controversy
Houston let go of Lugo in May 2003 following his arrest for allegedly beating his wife during an argument at Minute Maid Park. He denied the charges and was later acquitted by a jury.
He went on to play for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays for three years and was dealt in 2006 to the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Lugo then signed a deal with the Red Sox for four years and $36 million. He was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals in 2009, then moved on to the Baltimore Orioles in 2010. He last played with the Atlanta Braves before he retired in August 2011.
Lugo wrapped up his career with 1,279 hits, 198 stolen bases, a batting average of .269, 80 home runs, and 475 RBIs.