Aurelio Rodriguez Killed in Accident

Aurelio Rodriguez, a model of consistency at third base for the Detroit Tigers during the 1970s, died Saturday after being hit by a car on Detroit’s southwest side. He was 52.

Rodriguez was walking with an unidentified woman at about 2 p.m. when the car apparently jumped a sidewalk and struck them before hitting a utility pole, police Sgt. Michael Matuzak said.

Rodriguez had to be pulled from beneath the vehicle and was pronounced dead at Henry Ford Hospital. The other pedestrian and the female motorist were hospitalized in critical condition.

Rodriguez, a native of Cananea Sonora, Mexico, broke into the major leagues with the Angels in 1967. He played in at least 128 games in seven of his nine years in Detroit, and won a Gold Glove in 1975. His last season as a Tiger was 1979, Sparky Anderson’s first as manager.

Rodriguez’ major league career with seven teams ended in 1983. He finished with a .237 average with 124 home runs and 648 RBIs in 2,017 games.

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New York Yankee Manager Joe Torre announced that David Cone will be replaced by Dwight Gooden in the starting rotation. Cone will be used in the bullpen.

Cone (4-13), who threw in the bullpen before Friday night’s game, struggled in two starts since dislocating his left shoulder while fielding a popped-up bunt on Aug. 30 at Kansas City.

Gooden (6-4) has made 11 relief appearances for the Yankees this season and replaced Cone in the rotation a few times during the summer. Gooden, 4-1 with a 2.81 ERA for the Yankees this season, will make just his fifth start for New York.

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Right-hander Masato Yoshii of the Colorado Rockies is scheduled to have surgery Thursday to remove bone spurs in his right elbow.