Bobby Avila, one of first Latin stars in baseball

MEXICO CITY -- Bobby Avila, a three-time All-Star who was the first Latin player to win the American League batting title in 1954, died Tuesday of complications from diabetes and a lung ailment in a private clinic in Veracruz, his hometown. He was 78.

He played second base for the Cleveland Indians from 1949 to 1958 and also was with the Baltimore Orioles, Milwaukee Braves, before ending his 11-year big league career with the Boston Red Sox.

Mr. Avila batted .341 to edge out Minnie Minoso for the AL batting title and help Cleveland win the pennant in 1954. Ted Williams actually had a higher batting average that year, but a broken collarbone prevented him from receiving enough plate appearances to qualify for the title. Mr. Avila was the last Indian to win the title.

He played in the All-Star game in 1952, 1954, and 1955. Such success made him the first Mexican to spark fervid interest in baseball in his homeland.

Mr. Avila played in more than 1,300 games, finishing with a career batting average of .281 with 80 homers and 457 RBIs. After his major league career, he played in 1960 for Mexico City's Tigers. He batted .333 and set a record with 125 RBIs in his final season.

Mr. Avila was inducted into Mexico's baseball Hall of Fame in 1971.

After retiring from baseball, Mr. Avila entered the political arena. He served in Mexico's legislature and was mayor of Veracruz.