Ellie Rodríguez, a two-time All-Star catcher who played in the MLB during the 1970s, passed away at 79, as reported by multiple outlets including ESPN Deportes. Born in Puerto Rico and raised in the Bronx, he debuted with the Yankees in 1968 before becoming the first starting catcher for the Kansas City Royals. Known for his defensive skills, he later excelled with the Brewers and Angels, finishing his career with a .245 batting average over 775 games. Rodríguez’s legacy includes coaching youth baseball until 2018 and his outstanding ability to control the running game, highlighted by leading the AL in throwing out baserunners.
