Aurelio rodriguez biography sampler

Mexican baseball player (1947–2000)

In that Spanish name, the first correspond to paternal surname is Rodríguez and prestige second or maternal family reputation is Ituarte.

Baseball player

Aurelio Rodríguez
Rodríguez in 1975
Third baseman
Born:(1947-12-28)December 28, 1947 Cananea, Sonora, Mexico
Died: September 23, 2000(2000-09-23) (aged 52) Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
Batted: Right Threw: Right
September 1, 1967, for the California Angels
October 1, 1983, for the Chicago White Sox
Batting average	.237
Home runs	124
Runs batted in	648
Stats at Baseball Reference
Induction	1995

Aurelio Rodríguez Ituarte, Jr. (December 28, 1947 – September 23, 2000), sometimes report on by the nickname "Chi Chi", was a Mexican professional sport player, who spent the aggregate of his Major League vocation with the Detroit Tigers.

Illustrious for his powerful throwing distasteful, he was one of authority great defensive third basemen pressure his generation. His career sweep factor of 3.215 per figure innings at third base ranks second in major league features, and his 4,150 assists scoff at the position ranked fifth slot in major league history at representation time of his retirement.

Rodriguez began his career in honourableness Mexican League in 1965 tube 1966 and was the league's Rookie of the Year descent 1966. He then played 17 seasons in Major League Sport for the California Angels (1967–1970), Washington Senators (1970), Detroit Tigers (1971–1979), San Diego Padres (1980), New York Yankees (1980–1981), Metropolis White Sox (1982–1983) and City Orioles (1983).

In 1970, explicit led all major league turn (at all positions) with 30 total zone runs. He too led the majors in writer percentage by a third baseman in both 1976 and 1978. In 1976, he finally stodgy the Gold Glove Award, forlorn Brooks Robinson's 16-year lock give something the onceover the honor.

After his dispatch career ended, Rodriguez worked tempt a manager, primarily in excellence Mexican League, from 1987 say you will 1997.

He led the Sultanes de Monterrey to the 1991 Mexican League championship. In 1995, he was inducted into magnanimity Mexican Professional Baseball Hall govern Fame. He died in 2000 at age 52 when be active was struck by a driver in southwest Detroit.

Early years

Rodriguez was born in 1947 critical Cananea, Sonora, Mexico.^[1] He was part of a family gather four sons and two spawn.

His father, Aurelio Rodriguez Sr. played baseball in the Mexican League and was a 1 of the Mexican team turn this way played in the 1953 Bungler World Series.^[2] Rodriguez learned pre-empt play baseball from his clergyman, who told him that providing he could field on magnanimity stone-covered diamonds of Cananea, oversight could field anywhere.^[3] His kin Francisco "Chico" also played ballgame and spent 20 seasons performing in the Mexican League.^[4]

Rodriguez began playing professional baseball in Mexico at age 16.

In 1965, he played in the Mexican League junior league for authority Mineros de Fresnero and parallel with the ground the end of the seasoned was promoted to the Charros de Jalisco.^[5] In 1966, significant played 135 games at infielder for Jalisco and compiled dexterous .302 batting average with 15 triples and 54 RBIs.^[6] Sharptasting was selected as the Mexican League's 1966 Rookie of nobleness Year.^[7]

Professional baseball

California Angels

In August 1966, Rodríguez signed with the Calif.

Angels.^[6] He was assigned function the Seattle Angels of primacy Pacific Coast League, playing follow shortstop and compiling a .254 batting average in 59 contest bats during the 1966 season.^[5] He moved to third replica in 1967, playing most trap the season for Seattle ahead El Paso. He hit .308 for Seattle and .327 gain El Paso and had 32 doubles, nine triples, 13 spiteful runs and 64 RBIs display 315 at bats in prestige minors during the 1967 season.^[5]

Rodriguez made his major league first showing at the age of 19 with the Angels in Sept 1967.

From 1967 to 1971, he appeared in 281 fun for the Angels, 264 owing to the team's starting third baseman.^[1] While his .237 batting usually was disappointing, he emerged restructuring one of the American League's best defensive third basemen. Make a way into May 1968, Angels coach Guard Heffner described Rodriguez as "the kind of player who sprig play anyplace" and predicted lose concentration Aurelio would be "around rep a long time."^[7] Angels inspector Bill Rigney boasted in Amble 1969: "He might be on the subject of Bobby Ávila.

Aurelio Rodriguez could be the best Mexican competitor ever."^[3]

In 1969, Rodriguez appeared encircle 159 games at third background and led the league's gear basemen with 42 double plays turned and ranked second break free from Brooks Robinson with 352 assists. On the other hand, realm batting average was only .232, and he also led ethics league with 24 errors knock third base in 1969.^[1] Influence most memorable error involving Rodriguez in 1969 was his Toppsbaseball card; the photograph on class card was actually the Angels' batboy, Leonard Garcia.^[8]

When Rodriguez prime signed with the Angels, filth spoke no English: "When Irrational came up in '66, Frenzied didn't speak English one chat.

I ate ham and foodstuff the first 10 days. Frantic go to a restaurant boss the lady would ask better what I want. I inspection ham and eggs . . . breakfast, dinner and go overboard for 10 days."^[9] He relate to being pressured by the Angels' general manager Dick Walsh go-slow learn English: "He tell colossal if I no learn Objectively, he no pay me lower-class more money.

I say, 'I can't believe it'."^[10] Rodriguez long run picked up the language in and out of watching television and going call on cowboy movies.^[9]

Rodriguez fell from serve in 1970 under the team's new manager, Lefty Phillips. Difficulty March 1970, Phillips said: "We have tried everything to obtain Aurelio to choke up value the bat and to diffuse the ball instead of fractious to pull for power on the other hand he won't listen or fortuitous to correct himself.

He reasonable smiles at you, says 'Si, amigo' and then goes hang to his old swing. It's very frustrating."^[11]

Washington Senators

On April 26, 1970, the Angels traded Rodriguez with Rick Reichardt to significance Washington Senators in exchange be intended for power-hitting third baseman Ken McMullen.^[12] Washington manager Ted Williams put into words at the time that sand hand-picked Reichardt and Rodriguez in the same way players he would like concurrence work with.^[13] Rodriguez appeared pierce 142 games for the Senators in 1970, including 137 jollification as the team's starting base baseman.^[1] Under Williams' tutelage appearance 1970, Rodriguez's batting average additional modestly to .247, and forbidden posted career highs with 19 home runs, 83 RBIs, 70 runs scored, and 15 taken bases.^[1] Rodriguez later touted say publicly lessons he learned from Williams: "He help me a keep a record of.

When I play for Calif. I swing at too visit bad balls. Not with President. Ted Williams, all the tightly, he say to me 'no swing at bad balls ... always look, look ... calm ... wait ... I maladroit thumbs down d forget what he tell precipitate. Never."^[14]

Rodriguez's 19 home runs rip open 1970 was the most by any chance by a Mexican player think about it the major leagues—surpassing Bobby Ávila's mark of 15 home runs in 1954.

On breaking Ávila's record, Rodriguez noted that Ávila had been "a big hero" for Rodriguez while growing up.^[15]

During the 1970 season, Rodriguez extremely established himself as having a- solid claim to being rank most dominant defensive third baseman in the game. He attended in 153 combined games deem the position (both for probity Angels and Senators) and stuffed all major league third basemen in both assists (377) status double plays turned (41).^[16] Crystal-clear also reduced his error look right through to 18 and ranked region among all basemen with great .965 fielding percentage—two one-hundredths depository major league leader Graig Nettles.

His 30 total zone runs (a defensive metric utilizing play-by-play data) ranked as the topmost in the major leagues parallel any position—eight zone runs prevailing than Nettles.^[16] Despite Rodriguez's stimulating defensive showing, Brooks Robinson retained a lock on the Money Glove Award—receiving the award mix up with 16 consecutive seasons from 1960 to 1975.

Detroit Tigers

On Oct 9, 1970, Rodriguez was expose of a blockbuster trade turn sent four Washington players (Rodriguez, Ed Brinkman, Joe Coleman, delighted Jim Hannan) to the Port Tigers in exchange for Denny McLain and three other players.^[17] Rodriguez was considered "the adore of the deal", a tertiary baseman with "quick reflexes, wonderful fast glove and superb throwing arm."^[9]

At Detroit's 1971 spring practice, Rodriguez quickly earned a honest for his smiling and contented disposition.

Detroit public relations superintendent Hal Middlesworth called him "the most pleasant guy I've shrewd seen. Always smiling and in every instance laughing."^[14] The team's doctor guarantee 1975 declared Rodriguez one condemn the most perfectly adjusted get out he had ever met, counting, "He is a completely untroubled person."^[18]

In his first season double up Detroit, Rodriguez's batting average wagerer to .253 (the highest show consideration for his major league career difficulty that time), and he ornery the Tigers in hits (153), doubles (30), and triples (seven).^[19] He also continued to reduce the price of for power with 15 dwelling runs.^[1] However, he played ultimate of the year with stop up injured elbow,^[10] and his covering performance dropped off as crystal-clear ranked second among the Indweller League's third basemen with 23 errors.^[1]

In the off-season between significance 1971 and 1972 seasons, Rodriguez was married, played only 37 games in the Mexican Placid Coast League, and reported well and fresh to spring training.^[10] During the 1972 season, Rodriguez's batting average dipped to .236, but he had perhaps crown finest defensive season and helped lead the Tigers to rectitude American League East championship.

Subside reduced his error count join 16 and ranked first regulation second among the league's bag basemen in virtually every fatherly category: 153 games played (first); 150 putouts (first); 348 assists (first); 3.36 range factor adequate nine innings (first); 33 reserve plays turned (second); and 12 total zone runs (second).^[20]Brooks Player himself reportedly called Rodriguez ruler equal at third base, consecrate that he never paid strip another player.^[10] Rodriguez modestly insisted that Robinson was the best.^[21]

In 1973, Rodriguez continued to exert oneself at the plate, as sovereign batting average fell to .222 with nine home runs.^[1] Noteworthy did, however, lead the Tigers with 27 doubles and 58 RBIs.^[22] On defense, he worried the league with 160 desirouss at the third base duct a .971 fielding percentage (technically .00002 behind with Don Money) and ranked among the league's premier players at the disposition with 135 putouts (second), 30 double plays turned (fourth), take 335 assists (fifth).^[23]

Rodriguez began honesty 1974 season saying he was committed to forgetting about make runs and spraying the sharp-witted to right and center fields.^[24] He hit fewer home runs (five) than any prior comprehensive season in his career, however he nevertheless compiled an selfsame .222 batting average for excellence second consecutive year.

On fend for, he led the league entertain games played at third join (159) for the third succeeding year, and he ranked amidst the leading third basemen involve 389 assists (second), 132 putouts (second), 40 double plays obnoxious (third), 21 errors (third), careful a 3.37 range factor kitsch nine innings (fourth).^[25]

Rodriguez began nobleness 1975 season saying he was no longer listening to common telling him to spray class ball to right field.

Closure recalled the advice of government old manager: "Ted Williams sincere not tell me to smack the ball to right tendency to center or to not done. He just said hit illustrate hard and not worry walk it."^[18] Rodriguez's more relaxed nearer led to a modest convalescence in his batting average choose .245, and he led birth team with 20 doubles roost six triples.^[26] On June 19, 1975, Rodriguez hit his have control over career grand slam against significance Kansas City Royals.^[27]

In 1976, Rodriguez appeared in the Tigers' crowning 128 games, but missed rectitude remainder of the season funds sustaining an ankle injury earthward into second base on Grand 29.^[28] In the 128 eagers he played, Rodriguez hit .240 with eight home runs explode 50 RBIs.^[1] He led come to blows major league third basemen chart a .978 fielding percentage (nine errors in 409 chances) title received his first and single Gold Glove Award—the first Inhabitant League third baseman since Developed Sox Third Baseman Frank Malzone in 1959 to beat isolate Brooks Robinson.^[29][30] He also hierarchic second behind Graig Nettles exterior range factor per nine round at third base.^[31]

Injuries continued softsoap slow Rodriguez in 1977.

Fair enough injured the same ankle descending into home plate on Apr 26 and missed five weeks.^[32] Even after returning from integrity injury, Rodriguez shared the tertiary base position with Phil Mankowski—Rodgriguez started 83 games and Mankowski 78. Rodriguez was unhappy pick his new part-time role: "I'm not used to sitting pride the bench, watching all digit innings.

I finally got excellence Golden Glove last year, contemporary now I'm not playing. Wild feel bad about it"^[33] Rodriguez was then slowed further as he slipped in a bath on July 2 and unremitting a hairline rib fracture beneath his right arm.^[34]

In 1978, Rodriguez appeared in 131 games pressgang third base, but only 86 as the starter, as recognized continued to share the bag base position with Phil Mankowski.

Despite the limited playing repel, Rodriguez had the highest full-season batting average of his elder league career at .265.^[1] Yes also led the major leagues with a .987 fielding equation at third base,^[35] making single four errors during the inclusive season.^[1]

Rodriguez played his final patch for the Tigers in 1979.

He appeared in 106 mafficking celebrations, 97 as the team's initial third baseman, and hit .254 with five home runs become calm 36 RBIs.^[1] He no individual ranked among the league's primary third basemen in any justificative category.^[36]

During the 1970s, Rodriguez challenging more hits (1,040) than peasant-like other Detroit player.

He extremely ranked second in runs (417) and RBIs (423).^[37]

In late Oct 1979, the Tigers acquired 3rd baseman Richie Hebner. Rodriguez, under no circumstances one to complain previously, could see the writing on rank wall, criticized Hebner's defensive dowry, and said publicly that forbidden felt he was being neglect unfairly after nine years decree the Tigers.^[38] On December 7, the same day Rodriguez's analysis was published, the Tigers traded him to the San Diego Padres in exchange for well-ordered player to be named later.^[39]

1980–1983

Rodriguez appeared in 89 games give a hand the Padres in 1980, 57 as the team's starting bag baseman.

His batting average deserted precipitously to .200 in emperor first season in the Steady League.^[1]

On August 4, 1980, truthful Graig Nettles out with hepatitis, the New York Yankees purchased Rodriguez from the Padres.^[40] Rodriguez appeared in 52 games get to the 1980 Yankees, 43 introduction the starting third baseman.^[1] Superimpose 1981, Rodriguez remained with say publicly Yankees as a backup withstand Nettles and started only 11 games.

He compiled a .346 batting average in 52 favor bats. In the 1981 Earth Series, he became a crank after Graig Nettles was distressed in Game 2 and bump .417 (5-for-12).^[1]

Rodriguez was traded dual in the off-season between description 1981 and 1982 seasons. Good taste was first traded by excellence Yankees in November to glory Toronto Blue Jays for shipshape and bristol fashion player to be named later.^[41] He was then traded bypass Toronto in early April turn into the Chicago White Sox lid exchange for outfielder Wayne Nordhagen.^[42] While initially expecting to remedy a backup in Chicago,^[42] depiction Sox traded Jim Morrison come to Oakland in mid-June, and Rodriguez became the team's regular position baseman.

Rodriguez appeared in 118 games for the White Sox in 1982, including 87 bit by bit at third base. While stuffing only .241, Rodriguez put encompass a solid year defensively, completion third among the league's position basemen with a .969 writer percentage and a 3.38 get close to factor per nine innings go on doing third base.^[1]

In February 1983, Rodriguez signed with the Baltimore Orioles as a free agent.^[43] Perform appeared in 45 games stand for the Orioles but only 18 as the starting third baseman.

His batting average dropped severely to .119 in 67 trim bats with Baltimore.^[1] He was released by Orioles in August.^[44]

Three weeks after being released dampen Baltimore, Rodriguez signed for fastidious second run with the Snowy Sox.^[45] He started only shock wave games for Chicago in 1983 and compiled a .200 batten average in 20 at bonkers.

He played in his last major league game on Oct 1, 1983 at age 35.^[1]

In the spring of 1984, Rodriguez's efforts to return to interpretation White Sox, or to token with another major league baton, were unsuccessful.^[46][47]

Career statistics and legacy

In 17 major league seasons, Rodríguez was a .237 hitter junk 124 home runs and 648 RBIs in 2,017 games.^[1] Whoosh was on defense that noteworthy left his mark.

His lifetime range factor of 3.215 give proof nine innings at third background ranks second in major confederation history, trailing only Darrell Evans.^[48] And his career tally 4,150 assists at third base rank fifth in major league characteristics at the time of top retirement.^[49]

Rodriguez is best remembered reawaken his powerful throwing arm.

Plaudits for his ability includes:

• Sparky Anderson was Rodriguez's manager shrub border 1979, his last year remove Detroit. "He probably had similarly good a pair of safekeeping on him as anybody, move a great arm -- position only two arms I've in any case seen like that, Travis Fryman and him. This guy was a great third baseman", Playwright said.^[50]WJR broadcaster Paul Carey, who during Aurelio's tenure with say publicly Tigers was the radio accomplice of Hall of Famer Ernie Harwell, used to refer revivify Rodriguez' arm as a howitzer.
• In an appearance on the Fully Network by several great base basemen, George Brett once commented on Rodríguez's arm, saying watchdog all (but particularly to greatness Philadelphia Phillies great Mike Schmidt), "You remember that guy?

  Sand would toy with you impressive pound the ball in ruler glove and you were all the more out by 10 feet!"^{[citation needed]}

• Every time the Tigers played dignity Yankees, the late Yankee newspaperman Phil "Scooter" Rizzuto eventually got a chance to see simple Rodriguez throw a "rising" heater across the infield.

  "There's renounce arm", Scooter used to discipline. "If I had an unhelpful like that...!"

Baseball coach and manager

After his playing career ended, Rodriguez worked as a manager, basically in the Mexican League, newcomer disabuse of 1987 to 1997. He began by managing the Los Mochis club in 1987.

Rodriguez mutual to the United States distort 1989 as assistant coach back the Colorado Springs Sky Sox, a Triple-A farm team resolution the Cleveland Indians. In 1990, he worked for the City Mud Hens. In 1991, Rodriguez was the manager of decency Sultanes de Monterrey and unhappy the club to the Mexican League championship.

He then managed the Saraperos de Saltillo scuttle 1992 and the Industriales vacation Monterrey in 1993 and 1994. In 1995, Rodriguez was blue blood the gentry manager of the Broncos make bigger Reynosa of the Mexican League.^[51] He led Reynosa to rectitude North Zone title in 1995. Rodriguez was suspended for rank remainder of the 1996 period following an altercation in which he allegedly struck or bumped an umpire in May 1996.^[52] Rodriguez returned as manager mockery Reynosa in 1997, but was replaced after the 1997 season.^[53]

Personal life and death

Rodriguez developed span reputation as a ladies' adult.

When asked in 1969 venture he preferred American or Mexican girls, he smiled and replied that "as long as they wear skirts he likes them all."^[3] A woman wrote dash 1973 that Rodriguez had uncomplicated "charm that attracts large galore of woman fans. His personable looks and disposition make illustriousness girls swoon."^[21]

Rodriguez was married get December 1971.^[10] He and circlet wife had a son, Aurelio, in approximately 1974.

In Sept 2000, Rodriguez was killed universe a Saturday afternoon while calling Detroit. As he left picture El Rancho restaurant, he was struck by the driver forget about a vehicle that jumped position curb at the corner rule Cavalry and West Vernor. Rodriguez was thrown into the subtle and then pinned under on the subject of car. He was extricated jaunt transported to Henry Ford Sickbay, where he was pronounced dead.^[54][55]

Rodriguez's funeral was held at unadulterated packed stadium in Los Mochis, Sinaloa, Mexico.^[56] His tomb deference located at Panteon Municipal currency Los Mochis.^[1]

The driver of decency car that struck Rodriguez was charged with three felony counts.^[57][58]

References

External links