Toronto Blue Jays first base coach Mark Budzinski, who grew up in Severna Park, will probably be away from the crew following the loss of life of his eldest daughter.
According to a report by Richmond tv station WTVR, Julia Budzinski died in a tubing accident on the James River Saturday. The station cited sources that mentioned the 17-year-old Glen Allen, Virginia, resident fell from her tube.
“The Budzinskis have been part of our Blue Jays family over the last four seasons,” normal supervisor Ross Atkins mentioned in an announcement Sunday. “This devastating loss is felt by our entire organization and we grieve alongside Bud and his family. I have known Bud for more than 25 years and have always admired his commitment as a dad and husband first. He is loved and well-respected by our entire clubhouse and holds a special place in all our hearts.”
The Blue Jays and Tampa Bay Rays lined up alongside the foul traces earlier than first pitch Sunday for a second of silence. Rays supervisor Kevin Cash mentioned his crew was “heartbroken.”
Budzinski and supervisor Charlie Montoyo left the dugout within the third inning of the second sport of Saturday’s doubleheader towards Tampa Bay. The Blue Jays’ clubhouse was closed after the 11-5 loss.
“Everyone in our clubhouse is thinking of Bud, and I know you are, too, of his wife and their children,” Montoyo mentioned. “This tragedy reminds us what’s important in life. As a father and husband myself, my heart breaks for Bud and his family. They are in our thoughts and our prayers. Thank you for your understanding. Think of Bud and his family.”
Budzinski performed at Severna Park High underneath coach Jim Pitt and American Legion ball for Severna Park Post 175 and coach Jim McCandless. He went on to star on the University of Richmond and was named first crew All-Atlantic 10 Conference in 1995.
Budzinski was chosen by the Cleveland Indians within the twenty first spherical of the 1995 MLB draft and spent seven seasons within the minor leagues with that group. He performed 4 different seasons with minor league associates of the Chicago White Sox, Milwaukee Brewers and Philadelphia Phillies earlier than retiring in 2005.
Budzinski spent six days and performed 4 video games within the main leagues with the Cincinnati Reds in 2003, going 0-for-7 on the plate earlier than being demoted to Triple-A.
After initially returning dwelling to Henrico County, Virginia, and dealing as an actual property agent, Budzinski returned to baseball as a minor league supervisor with the Cleveland group. He was promoted to the main league employees in 2017 earlier than Toronto employed him to be its first base coach in 2018.
The 48-year-old Budzinski and his spouse Monica are the mother and father of two different kids — Josh and Lily.
“Bud is one of the most genuine, nice, family-oriented, Christian men that you could meet in all of baseball,” Toronto pitcher Ross Stripling mentioned. “It’s just a tragedy. We just all told him that we loved him, to go be with his family and we hope to see him soon. I’m now a dad. My son is 16 months old. I sat with my wife last night and we were emotional thinking about it. That has to be every parent’s worst nightmare to get a phone call like that. We feel for him, love him and miss him.”
Tigers supervisor A.J. Hinch, who roomed with Budzinski throughout his minor league profession, expressed help for his grieving good friend earlier than Detroit hosted Kansas City on Sunday.
Elsewhere, Red Sox supervisor Alex Cora supplied an identical message from Chicago, the place his crew was dealing with the Cubs.
Bullpen catcher Luis Hurtado coached first base in Budzinski’s absence.
The Associated Press contributed to this text.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com