Last Wednesday, the Arco Mexicana del Pacífico League became the first professional baseball circuit in Mexico to suffer the death of one of its members as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic, following the death of Leo Rodríguez Jr. was announced, at age 65.
Sultanes de Monterrey, a club where Leo Rodríguez served as a coach, reported the death on its website and on its social networks.
“ After finishing his professional career, Mr. Leo has always remained connected to our institution by acting as a multi-stage coach and coach of third base, being part of the 2007 championship and the current season of the ARCO Mexican Pacific League, where he started the campaign and was forced to leave his post in late October due to health issues stemming from the very complicated unforeseen moment that global society is going through, ” the Mexican Pacific League quoted in its statement.
For his part, Miguel Ojeda, Deportivo chairman of Diablos Rojos del México, a club of the Mexican Baseball League in which the late Rodríguez served as first base coach, also complained during the 2019 season.
Today, this blessed disease has not only taken away one of our baseball’s greatest instigators, the son of a mentor of mine, my great friend Don Leo Rodriguez.
I send my sincere condolences to all of his family and wish him a speedy resignation.
RIP FRIEND !!!! pic.twitter.com/EQMrDSSwZW– Miguel Ojeda (@MiguelOjedaS) December 23, 2020
Originally from Torreón, Coahuila, Leo Rodríguez played for seven seasons in the Mexican Baseball League, between 1974 and 1980, all with Sultanes. After his retirement as a professional player he took on responsibilities as a coach; in 2007 he became champion with Monterrey and directed Rieleros de Aguascalientes. He was also part of the coaching staff of Bravos de León and Diablos Rojos del México. He coached the Caribbean Series internationally.
Rodríguez Jr. was the son of third baseman Leonardo Rodríguez Briones and brother of former Major League Baseball player Carlos Rodríguez.