November 15, 2021

Julio Lugo Has Died, One Day Before His 46th Birthday

Julio Lugo, a member of the Red Sox's 2007 World Champion team, has died at age 45. (Tomorrow would have been his 46th birthday.)

Lugo's sister, Rina Lugo, told ESPN he suffered an apparent heart attack while leaving a gym in the Dominican Republic. Lugo was taken to a hospital in Santo Domingo, but could not be revived. 

Lugo debuted with the Astros in 2000, playing for seven teams over the next 12 seasons. He signed with the Red Sox in December 2006, after four seasons with Tampa Bay. As Boston's shortstop the following season, Lugo's regular season stats were hard on the eyes (.237/.294/.349), though he did steal 33 bases and drive in 73 runs, both the second-highest totals of his career. He was no slouch in the Red Sox's four-game World Series sweep of the Rockies (5-for-13, three walks, no strikeouts, .962 OPS).

JoS gave Lugo the nickname "Secret Weapon" after he was described as such (for unknown reasons) in a May 2009 MLB.com headline.

3 comments:

FenFan said...

I'll always remember him for the game-winning hit in the "Mother's Day Miracle" in 2007. Ground out to start the bottom of the ninth, then singles home the winning run in the same frame!

GK said...

Hands down the best dressed major league player of the last 20 years. Never anything out of place in his appearance. He did it without being coaxed to do by some owner mandate, presented himself to the public in (what I believe to be )a professional way.

laura k said...

This was such sad and shocking news. I remember "I blame Lugo" from our 2007 gamethreads.