Former major league infielder Julio Lugo has passed away after suffering what is believed to be a heart attack, his family tells Enrique Rojas of ESPN. He was 45 years old.
Lugo played in twelve major league seasons, suiting up for the Astros, Devil Rays, Dodgers, Red Sox, Cardinals, Orioles and Braves between 2000-11. He was the primary shortstop on the Red Sox’s 2007 World Series-winning team, part of a seven-year run as a regular at the position.
Lugo appeared in 120+ games in six of seven seasons between 2001-07 before transitioning into a utility role later in his career. Altogether, the slick-fielding infielder appeared in 1352 MLB games, hitting .269/.333/.384 with 80 home runs over 5338 plate appearances.
MLBTR sends our condolences to Lugo’s family, friends, teammates and loved ones.
Rest in peace.
I know this probably isn’t the best time to bring this up but I’m guessing there won’t be any other articles about him to ask. Didn’t this guy get charged with domestic violence against his wife and was still allowed to come back pretty much immediately with no punishment? It didn’t even seem to make a slew of teams think twice about signing him afterwards. Am I remembering that correctly?
Boo.
You are correct. That happened when he played for Houston
Probably had a heart attack from having too many meltdowns at home over the years
I didn’t really mean as a way to call him out. I was bringing up how it didn’t seem to matter back then. I think it was only 10 years ago. Now a guy gets accused of something with no charges and it ends his career. I was really just trying to compare how different it is now compared to how it was back then. I didn’t say “I shouldn’t bring this up.” I said, “This probably isn’t the best time.” The only thing is it was probably the only time I would have a chance so it was now or never. I don’t see many more articles being written about him in the future. I’m just trying to figure out why it was no big deal back then but a huge career ending problem now. And in what world is it cooler if someone dies for mentioning domestics violence charges but okay for the person who actually does it? It’s okay to commit domestic violence but bringing up that it happened is some sort of cardinal sin? That makes no sense at all.
Data is data. He did or he didn’t. Seems like a reasonable place to mention it.
For most, he’ll soon be forgotten. How many people remember Tony Soliata?
So now you’re making excuses for being tone-deaf and pretentious?
I don’t remember Soliata at all. What’s his story? Former MLB player?
Yes. Power hitting first baseman who was murdered at age 43.
Pretty good player.
Classless. ….
So when you pass on all bad things are forgotten?
It’s data.
Thoughts and prayers.
Way too young….rest in peace.
Wow
Good Lord. RIP Julio.
RIP I mostly remember him with the Lou Piniella Tampa Devil Rays and of course also with the Red Sox. You were fun to watch as a high IQ Player. Sad News
Lou Piniella’s Devil Rays vs. the Yankees was exciting must watch baseball for me always playing hard fought games and I remember Julio Lugo playing a major role. He and Joey Gathright were fun to watch running the bases along with Jorge Cantu, Carl Crawford, and Jonny Gomes.
Rest in Paradise
Oh no
Rip julio.
RIP. He was a good player.
Of course it goes without saying that dying at such a young age is such a tragedy. RIP Julio. Solid major leaguer.
Wow. RIP. I remember when the Cardinals traded Chris Duncan for him in 2009, and now they’re both no longer with us. Terrible.
well let’s have some “man sodas” and have one for dunc and lugo, both way to young may both guys rip.
And within days of Pedro Feliciano passing away at the same age of 45. Sad, sad days.
I took it that he is referring to steroids. But that kind of speculation is uncalled for.
Agreed. Quite a few people getting muted today.
@cey right there with you
100 percent Cey Hey. I’ve grown quite fond of the mute option. Pretty easy to spot the trolls and the clowns who post nonsense on every article. There are some good baseball fans here who’s opinions I enjoy I reading and chatting with.
This may sound like a dumb question but I only get on this site on my cell phone and I do not see a mute button. Although, I am on here a lot I usually “stay in my lane” and only look at the Cardinals moves. Lugo seemed like a good man and this is sad news. I just had a hood friend have a heart attack and almost died at 51 years old. Life is precious and a gift we can’t keep forever.
*Good friend
Not a”hood friend” although I have some of those too.
@put are you using the app or web browser also are you using a droid or iphone, because i’m on an iphone x on a web browser and i have the mute feature. when it comes to droid’s it’s a lot tougher because of the thousands of different devices and how each manufacturer programs things to work on there devices. sorry if my explanation sounds simple but this is bb forum not a tech support chat.
I am on an iPhone and using the app
might be an issue with the app i use firefox to browse mlbtr, and with ff i get the mute button, then again i prefer the web based over the app because i feel that it’s clunky but i’ll re’dl the app and ill see if i get the mute button, btw what ios are you on (i’m going assume that your on 15.x.x)
ok update for any that use the app on idevices the app does not have a mute function but the web browser of your choice does, (i can only confirm ff and safari) also this applies to all ios’es from 15 down (i’m on ios 13.3.1). not sure if droid users have the same problem but we should let mlbt know that at minimum that the ios app dose have the mute function and if droids don’t then both devices need an app update. until then if you want mute have to use the browser
I thought he was referring to White Claws.
When someone dies unexpectedly at 45 year old people speculate as to why. If it was announced that he had cancer it be a different story.
Sad. RIP.
I was shocked when I initially read Julio had passed away. His passing is sad because he was so young, dying the day before his 46th birthday. It just goes to show you that no one is guaranteed tomorrow. I hope Julio rests in peace.
Too young. So many young athletes having heart issues these days. Must just be a coincidence…
When someone dies unexpectedly at 45 year old people speculate as to why. If it was announced that he had cancer it be a different story.
Fun memories as a Red Sox, rest in peace, thoughts are with your family
Oh wow .. The former devil ray.
Ouch. RIP Champ
R.I.P. Lugo. Great guy to remember!
My first ever experience of a professional baseball game outside of Atlanta was in Tampa when he was there. I remember quite well, as the stadium was quite empty, however when he would come up to bat the fans would get excised and start chanting his name quite loud with all the echoes. I was quite young, but he caught my attention. To young… rip
Wow. That is sad. Both Lugo and Feliciano gone at 45.
I want to be clear on this, I’m not accusing Lugo of PED use, but players like him are the victim of rampant PED use..
Players who hang on or are competing against players that are using were put into impossible situations. They either use, or find themselves behind the eight ball competing for a job with players that are.
For players, PEDs was always a much bigger health risk than Covid. How many lives will be shortened because the players union fought tooth and nail to prevent testing?
If you’re not accusing him of PED use, then why are you bringing it up in a thread about his death? And to top it off, you add an ignorant statement about COVID. What gives?
Accusing and suspecting are two different things? You know the difference….right?
Why bring it up?
I bring it up because I upset about the “push to the side” health risks of PEDs and for players the exaggerated health risks of Covid.
I’m so upset at the Union for it taking an act of Congress to get the to agree to testing. Something the owners wanted years earlier.
The owners are not Saints, but they haven’t done anything that bad in decades.
A lot of players are going to lose years of their live’s because of it, and I’m sure many have
@Halo11fan Are you forgetting Jeff Loria? Frank McCourt?
Be upset on your own time, halo. The guy just died at 45, for goodness sakes. Show some respect.
There’s a time and a place for that kind of discussion. This isn’t it. Using someone’s death to immediately push your narrative is a pretty rubbish thing to do. Again – time and place.
People are calling you out for it – so take a step back and ask yourself if they have a point, instead of continuing on. Have the ability to self-reflect, it’s not difficult if you try.
It’s one thing to be tone-deaf in the beginning, but it’s another to carry on anyway.
Just stop.
My agenda? Would he still be alive if there was PED testing in the 90s?
He’s could possibly be a victim because of the Union’s greed for power. If you are not going to bring it up when a 45 year old dies of a heart attack, when are you going to bring it up? Never.
The Union does have blood on its hands. Maybe not in this case, but it does.
This is the perfect time to bring it up.
I’m more interested in Lugo and Feliciano’s vax status. This is getting nuts. He had some really nice years. I remember him fondly from his days with the Sox. Rest in Peace Julio.
yeah it be interesting to see that
TurnOffTheTV2 days ago
I’m more interested in Lugo and Feliciano’s vax status. This is getting nuts.
Hence the Problem…. It shouldn’t be public info.
The Media and Government are the Virus.
Sad news Lugo while your old body will RIP your soul is now back home in heaven in a new body
Charlie, I hope Julio Lugo had a relationship with Jesus Christ and accepted Him as his Lord and Savior, because that is the only way to spend eternity in Heaven.
After Pedro Feliciano, Lugo is the second former big leaguer to pass away in the last week. Both were only 45 years old. Whole thing just sucks.
Red Sox 14
sad day, remember watching and rooting for Lugo. RIP my man!
I rember when the Red Sox signed Lugo to a four year contract before the 2007 season that was two years after signing Edgar Renteria to a four year contract and trading him after one season, then signing Alex Gonzalez and him leaving for Cincinnati after one season. Lugo never lived up to the deal he signed but he was great in 2007 in a championship season.
R.I.P. Julio
Praying!
Sad that he went so young. Condolences to his family and friends
Jerry Meal’s made Lugo a legend!
She hit him first. Dominican broads are feisty.
Rest in peace. Way too young
A 43rd round draft pick, who played parts of 12 seasons with over 9 years of service time…truly remarkable. So sad to hear this news, may he Rest In Peace.
If nothing else, I’ll remember him as one of the Gospel-themed quartet of Matthew (Holliday), Mark (DeRosa), (Julio) Lugo, and John (Smoltz) that the Cardinals traded for mid-season in 2009 to help them win the division that year.
Surprised so many people mentioned PEDs and nothing about him being a wife beater? Sorry, I’m not going to be too sad remembering this guy.
That makes you a joke of a person. Congrats.
If your talking about his time in Houston, your appt sadder than I thought since all those charges were dropped right after he was traded. Not only that, but that was right after 2005 when ownership was looking at selling the team. Not saying those 2 things are related but old ownership was very close to the sports editor at the time. He was an absolute vacuum of a shortstop. First time I saw Carlos Correa play he was my comp until I was able to see that CC is on a whole other level. Lugo was a dynamic player who was also able to change a game with one swing when that wasn’t normal for his position. Great player and a sad loss to his family regardless of his past. He was younger than most people who comment on these posts. R.I.P. to another life lost to soon.
Vaccine anyone?
RIP Lugo
Complications with the Vax…. Heart ruptured basically