The Boston Red Sox community lost one of its own Monday.
Former Red Sox shortstop Julio Lugo died Monday at age 45 of an apparent heart attack. The Dominican Republic native played three seasons in Boston from 2007 to 2009 and was the starting shortstop on the 2007 World Series champion Red Sox.
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SIGN UP HERE Lugo also spent two years as the teammate of current Red Sox manager Alex Cora, who played in Boston from 2006 to 2008 and was Lugo's infield partner as a part-time second baseman.
Cora was saddened to hear of Lugo's passing Monday on Twitter.
Former Red Sox third baseman Will Middlebrooks didn't overlap with Lugo at the major league level, but shared a fond memory of the veteran shortstop working with him and other prospects while on rehab assignment in 2008.
Ex-Red Sox outfielder Josh Reddick, who came up through the team's farm system and broke into the big leagues in 2009, shared a similar story of Lugo helping him as a minor leaguer.
Lugo played for seven teams over his 12-year major league career, but he clearly made an impact in Boston, where he spent more time than any other spot outside from the Houston Astros and Tampa Bay Rays (four years each).
