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News, Blog and GuidesFormer 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.
Gidget AlikpalaG_AlikpalaUpdate: Nov 15th, 2021 17:30 EST
Billie Weiss/Boston Red SoxGetty Images
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.
Julio Lugo's family told me of the death of the former MLB player, presumably due to a heart attack.Lugo was 45 years old.#RIP
— Enrique Rojas/ESPN (@Enrique_Rojas1) November 15, 2021
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.
Julio Lugo's walk-off ended the "Mother's Day Miracle" in Boston. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/e49zjcuYc0
— MLB Vault (@MLBVault) November 15, 2021
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.
Other MLB stories:
Former Red Sox pitcher Rodriguez signs $77M deal with TigersBoras: MLB system led to Braves’ World Series winUncertain future for LA Dodgers’ Kershaw without extension
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.
