Toronto Blue Jays’ first base coach Mark Budzinski is devastated about his eldest daughter Julia Budzinski’s death and decides to stay with his family.
Budzinski played four games for the Cincinnati Reds in 2003 and retired in 2005. After managing in Cleveland’s minor league system, he joined its big league staff in 2017. Toronto hired Budzinski in November 2018.
“The Budzinskis have been part of our Blue Jays family over the last four seasons. This devastating loss is felt by our entire organization and we grieve alongside Bud and his family,” Ross Atkins, the Blue Jays’ executive vice president of baseball operations and general manager, said in a statement. “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 team announced that Mark will be out with his family.
The Blue Jays and Tampa Bay Rays lined up along the foul lines before the first pitch for a moment of silence. Rays manager Kevin Cash said his team was “heartbroken.”
After the game, the Blue Jays closed their clubhouse, so they could have peace to honor the death of Julia, and said that the team’s other coaches were with Budzinski, who was “dealing with a personal matter.”
Budzinski played four games for the Cincinnati Reds in 2003 and retired in 2005. After managing in Cleveland’s minor league system, he joined its big league staff in 2017. Toronto hired Budzinski in November 2018.
“The Budzinskis have been part of our Blue Jays family over the last four seasons. This devastating loss is felt by our entire organization and we grieve alongside Bud and his family,” Ross Atkins, the Blue Jays’ executive vice president of baseball operations and general manager, said in a statement. “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 team announced that Mark will be out with his family.
The Blue Jays and Tampa Bay Rays lined up along the foul lines before the first pitch for a moment of silence. Rays manager Kevin Cash said his team was “heartbroken.”
After the game, the Blue Jays closed their clubhouse, so they could have peace to honor the death of Julia, and said that the team’s other coaches were with Budzinski, who was “dealing with a personal matter.”
