Former Yankees Catcher, 2-Time All-Star, Dies After Historic Career

BusinessSportsMoneyFormer Yankees Catcher, 2-Time All-Star, Dies After Historic CareerByPeter Chawaga,Contributor.Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Peter Chawaga is a writer and editor covering Major League Baseball.Follow AuthorApr 24, 2026, 08:28am EDT--:-- / --:--This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.ATLANTA, GA - AUGUST 14: The New York logo is displayed on a hat during the MLB game between the New York Yankees and the Atlanta Braves on August 14, 2023 at Truist Park in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Jeff Robinson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)Icon Sportswire via Getty ImagesThe New York Yankees have had many legendary backstops don the pinstripes over the course of franchise history, from Yogi Berra to Jorge Posada.And this week, news surfaced that one member of that fraternity of former Yankees catchers died at age 79.“The former Puerto Rican Major League catcher Eliseo ‘Ellie’ Rodriguez, who was part of the exclusive group of seven catchers to receive a no-hitter from Nolan Ryan, passed away this Thursday at the age of 79,” according to a translated version of a Spanish-language report from ESPN Digital. “In his nine-year career, Rodríguez batted .245, with 16 home runs and 203 RBIs. More significant than his offensive numbers is that he threw out 41.3 percent of the runners who attempted to steal against him.”ForbesLong-Time Red Sox Backstop Cut By NL Team After Short StintBy Peter ChawagaFormer New York Yankees, Los Angeles Dodgers Catcher Dies Rodriguez was born in Puerto Rico and debuted with the Yankees in 1968, with that rookie campaign marking his only one with the franchise. He slashed .208/.296/.208 in just nine games with the Yankees’ big-league club before being drafted by the Kansas City Royals in the 1968 MLB expansion draft.In his debut season with the Royals, he earned the first of two career All-Star nods. He was eventually traded to the Mil...