Former Red Sox infielder Julio Lugo dies at 45

Former MLB infielder Julio Lugo, who spent three seasons with the Boston Red Sox, died Monday at 45 of a heart attack, according to multiple reports. Lugo’s passing came one day before his 46th birthday.

Spending time with the Astros, Rays, and Dodgers for the first seven seasons of his career, Lugo joined the Red Sox on a four-year, $36 million contract ahead of the 2007 season, and was the team’s starting shortstop on their run to the 2007 World Series. The 2007 campaign was Lugo’s best with Boston, as he hit eight home runs, 73 RBIs, and stole 33 bases in 147 games. Lugo turned it on during the 2007 World Series, too, with a .385 average (5-for-13) in Boston’s four-game sweep of the Rockies.

Traded to St. Louis during the 2009 season amid some Boston struggles, Lugo would spend time with the Cardinals, Orioles, and Braves before his career came to an end in 2011.

A native of the Dominican Republic, Lugo finished his 12-season career with a .269 average,  80 home runs, 475 RBIs, 198 stolen bases, and 1,279 career hits.

• World Series: Boston Red Sox v Colorado Rockies – Game 3

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  DENVER - OCTOBER 27: Alex Cora #13 and Julio Lugo #23 of the Boston Red Sox celebrate after their 10-5 win against the Colorado Rockies during Game Three of the 2007 Major League Baseball World Series at Coors Field on October 27, 2007 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)

• World Series: Boston Red Sox v Colorado Rockies – Game 4

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  DENVER - OCTOBER 28: (L-R) David Ortiz #34, Josh Beckett #19, Julio Lugo #23 and Jonathan Papelbon #18 of the Boston Red Sox celebrate with the trophy in the locker room after winning Game Four by a score of 4-3 to win the 2007 Major League Baseball World Series in a four game sweep of the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on October 28, 2007 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)

• ALCS: Boston Red Sox v Cleveland Indians – Game 5

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  CLEVELAND - OCTOBER 18: Julio Lugo #23 of the Boston Red Sox throws to first base during Game Five of the American League Championship Series against the Cleveland Indians at Jacobs Field on October 18, 2007 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Red Sox won the game 7-1 making the series 3-2. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
• Boston Red Sox v New York Yankees

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  NEW YORK - MAY 22: Julio Lugo #23 of the Boston Red Sox celebrates with David Ortiz #34 as he crosses home plate after scoring on a Kevin Youkilis #20 double in the seventh against the New York Yankees on May 22, 2007 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)

• Chicago White Sox v Boston Red Sox

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  BOSTON - JULY 22: Julio Lugo #23 of the Boston Red Sox throws against the Chicago White Sox on July 22, 2007 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. The Red Sox won 8-5. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

• CA: Boston Red Sox v Oakland Athletics

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  OAKLAND, CA - JUNE 07: Julio Lugo #23 of the Boston Red Soxlooks on against the Oakland Athletics during a Major League Baseball game on June 7, 2007 at McAfee Coliseum in Oakland, California. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)
• World Series: Boston Red Sox v Colorado Rockies – Game 4

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  DENVER - OCTOBER 28: Mike Lowell #25 of the Boston Red Sox celebrates his a solo home run in the seventh inning against the Colorado Rockies with teammates Julio Lugo #23 and David Ortiz #34 during Game Four of the 2007 Major League Baseball World Series at Coors Field on October 28, 2007 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)