RIP - Ellie Rodriguez

 

Ellie Rodriguez, a catcher for the Royals, Brewers, and Angels, passed away on April 23, 2026 at age 79.

Rodriguez was signed by the Kansas City Athletics in 1964. After one season, he was acquired by the Yankees in the minor league draft. He made his major-league debut in 1968 with the Yankees, playing 9 games (mostly in May and June). 

 

He was selected by the Kansas City Royals in the expansion draft, and played there for 2 full seasons, although playing only about half the games each year. He was named to the 1969 All-Star team. 

 

After the 1970 season he was traded to the Brewers, and was their starting catcher in '71 and '72, while splitting the job with Darrell Porter in 1973. He also made his 2nd All-Star team in 1972. 

 

In October 1973, he was part of a 9-player trade with the Angels. He was with the Halos for 2 seasons, playing 140 games (125 starts) in '74 and 90 games (75 starts) in '75. 

 

His last major-league action was 36 games with the Dodgers in 1976. Rodriguez played for the Pirates' AAA team in 1977, and in Mexico from 1978-82.