MLB's Julio Lugo Dead At 45 After Heart Attack
Julio Lugo Dead At 45 ... After Heart Attack
10:55 AM PT -- The Red Sox just confirmed the news ... saying, "The Red Sox mourn the loss of former shortstop and 2007 World Series Champion Julio Lugo."
"We send our thoughts and love to the Lugo family."
The Tampa Bay Rays added ... "We are saddened to hear of the passing of former Devil Rays shortstop Julio Lugo. Our thoughts are with his family and friends during this difficult time."
Former MLB shortstop Julio Lugo -- who played in the Big Leagues for 12 years -- reportedly died on Monday.
He was just 45 years old.
ESPN's Enrique Rosas said Lugo's family confirmed the death, explaining they believe the ex-baseball player suffered a heart attack.
No further details surrounding the death have been given.
Lugo -- who was set to celebrate his 46th birthday on Tuesday -- was drafted by the Houston Astros in 1994 and eventually played in the MLB from 2000-2011.
#FlashbackFriday - julio del 2006... BOOM y BOOM!! 2 cuadrangulares de Julio Lugo en un mismo inning ante los Orioles pic.twitter.com/FM6rs6mRL4
— Víctor Ml. Báez S. (@VicBaezS) March 2, 2018 @VicBaezS
The infielder played for seven teams -- the Astros, Rays, Dodgers, Red Sox, Cardinals, Orioles and Braves -- but he was most known for his time in Boston.
After signing a four-year, $36 million contract with the Sox in 2006 -- he went on to help the team win the 2007 World Series.
Lugo logged 1,279 hits in his career ... and finished with 198 steals and a batting average of .269.
The death is the second tragic one in the MLB in less than two weeks ... former Mets reliever Pedro Feliciano also passed away at age 45 just 8 days ago.
RIP.