CHICAGO, IL – OCTOBER 15: A Chicago Cubs grounds crew member cleans off the Chicago Cubs logo prior to game one of the National League Championship Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Wrigley Field on October 15, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
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The Chicago Cubs are one of Major League Baseball’s most historic franchises, with generations of players leaving their mark at Wrigley Field. Some became stars, while others are remembered for single unforgettable moments or pioneering careers because of their own backgrounds.
The franchise has also long carried an important connection to Puerto Rican baseball, and one former infielder helped establish that connection during his time in Chicago. His career was not defined by All-Star appearances or gaudy offensive numbers, but he became part of Cubs history in a way few players can claim.
Now Cubs fans have the chance to remember his contributions on and off the field, as former Cubs infielder Dave Rosello has died at 77.
“David Rosello Rodriguez, who was born on June 26, 1949, in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, and passed away on September 30, 2026, in Kissimmee, Florida, lived a life marked by kindness, laughter, and devotion to the people he loved most,” according to his local obituary.
Former Chicago Cubs Infielder Dave Rosello Enjoyed Pioneering Career
Rosello spent six seasons with the Cubs, primarily working as a backup around the middle infield. He played second base, shortstop and third base during a major league career that also included a stint with the Cleveland Indians.
Perhaps his single most memorable moment on the diamond came in a 13-inning, 16-15 win over the Cincinnati Reds on July 28, 1977, when he drove in the winning run.
“He played six years for the Cubs, mostly as a backup middle infielder, and batted .236/.318/.313 with 10 home runs in a little over 1,000 plate appearances,” Al Yellon wrote for Bleed Cubbie Blue. “I recall him as a fielder with a decent glove and range, though modern defensive metrics don’t give him much.”
But Rosello might be best remembered for a pioneering role he played in Cubs franchise history, as he became the team’s first-ever Puerto Rican infielder, and just its sixth player from the island in history.
Chicago Cubs’ Former Infielder Dave Rosello Dies At 77
Rosello remained part of the Cubs through the 1970s before finishing his major league career with Cleveland. He retired from professional baseball after the 1981 season, leaving behind a career that might have been modest statistically but historically meaningful.
His legacy with Chicago therefore extends beyond his numbers. Rosello helped open a door for Puerto Rican infielders within the Cubs organization, while his walk-off hit against Cincinnati gave him an enduring place in Wrigley Field lore.
More than four decades later, that moment remains one of the memorable chapters from the Cubs’ 1977 season — and part of the lasting baseball legacy of Dave Rosello.
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