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Alfonso `Chico' Carrasquel dies at 77

An undated picture shows Venezuelan baseball player Alfonso ``Chico'' Carrasquel. Carrasquel, who was the first Latin American baseball player to play in the Major Leagues, died on Thursday in Caracas of natural causes. PHOTO: AFP

Alfonso "Chico" Carrasquel, a former Chicago White Sox shortstop and a Venezuela baseball great, died on Thursday. He was 77.

Carrasquel died of cardiac arrest before arriving at a hospital, said Humberto Sarraga, public relations director of Caracas Clinics.

Venezuela President Hugo Chavez announced two days of mourning.

"Viva Carrasquel!" said Chavez during a nationally televised address.

The White Sox will honor their four-time All-Star before next Monday's game at US Cellular Field, formerly called Comiskey Park against the Angels. A video tribute will be shown on the scoreboard and the Venezuela national anthem will be played.

"Venezuela lost one of its heroes today," White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen said in a statement. "As the first great Venezuelan shortstop, Chico helped put our country on the baseball map. I am honored and proud to have known him as a friend, and will miss seeing him in my office each day at the ballpark. He was such a great friend, person, and role model for young players."

Carrasquel played in the majors from 1950-1959. A nifty fielder, he teamed with Nellie Fox in Chicago to form one of baseball's best double-play combination.

In 1951, Carrasquel started at shortstop for the American League in the All-Star game at Detroit and singled in his first at-bat off future Hall of Famer Robin Roberts. The next Latin player in All-Star competition was Minnie Minoso -- he pinch-hit for his White Sox teammate in that same game.

Carrasquel hit .258 lifetime with 55 home runs and 474 RBIs. He was traded after the 1955 season to Cleveland, and later played for Kansas City and Baltimore.

He was the third Venezuelan baseball player to make it to the majors. Signed by the Brooklyn Dodgers, he was sold to the White Sox.

Carrasquel took over for Hall of Famer Luke Appling as Chicago's shortstop in 1950 -- he had a 24-game hitting streak as a rookie -- and was traded to the Indians to make room for another future Hall of Famer, Luis Aparicio.

Last year, before Guillen's first home game as manager of the White Sox, three star Venezuelan shortstops threw out ceremonial first balls -- Carrasquel, Aparicio and Guillen.

"I was saddened to hear of the passing of Chico Carrasquel," Aparicio said. "Chico was my hero and mentor. He took me under his wing, and I'm grateful to him for making me the ballplayer that I turned out to be."

Carrasquel spent seven seasons doing Spanish-language telecasts of White Sox games. He also worked in the team's community relations department until recent years.

During his later years, Carrasquel suffered from diabetes. In 2003, he sustained minor injuries when he was beaten during a carjacking in Venezuela.
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