Aurelio Rodriguez

Aurelio Rodriguez

Aurelio Rodríguez Ituarte, Jr. (December 28, 1947 – September 23, 2000), sometimes known by the nickname "Chi Chi", was a Mexican professional baseball player, who spent the bulk of his Major League career with the Detroit Tigers. Known for his powerful throwing arm, he was one of the great defensive third basemen of his generation. His career range factor of 3.215 per nine innings at third base ranks second in major league history, and his 4,150 assists at the position ranked fifth in major league history at the time of his retirement. Rodriguez began his career in the Mexican League in 1965 and 1966 and was the league's Rookie of the Year in 1966. He then played 17 seasons in Major League Baseball for the California Angels (1967–1970), Washington Senators (1970), Detroit Tigers (1971–1979), San Diego Padres (1980), New York Yankees (1980–1981), Chicago White Sox (1982–1983) and Baltimore Orioles (1983). In 1970, he led all major league players (at all positions) with 30 total zone runs. He also led the majors in fielding percentage by a third baseman in both 1976 and 1978. In 1976, he finally received the Gold Glove Award, breaking Brooks Robinson's 16-year lock on the honor. After his playing career ended, Rodriguez worked as a manager, primarily in the Mexican League, from 1987 to 1997. He led the Sultanes de Monterrey to the 1991 Mexican League championship. In 1995, he was inducted into the Mexican Professional Baseball Hall of Fame. He died in 2000 at age 52 when he was struck by a motorist in southwest Detroit.

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