Mike Brumley, 61, a former journeyman infielder and minor league coach, was killed in a Mississippi vehicle crash.
Brumley perished in a multi-vehicle crash on Interstate 20 in Edwards, Mississippi, on Saturday. According to WLBT.com, the crash included three cars and two 18-wheelers. Two additional drivers were injured in the crash.
The retired infielder was a passenger in a Ford Maverick at the time of the collision and was pronounced deceased on the spot.
The Mississippi Highway Patrol is still investigating the crash.
Brumley played for six different clubs between 1987 and 1995, but he is most known as a minor-league coach in the Atlanta Braves organization, where he worked with future All-Star third baseman Austin Riley.
Riley was awakened from his slumber Sunday morning by the news that one of his most influential colleagues had been killed.
Riley, who homered in Sunday’s 8-6 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays, said he received a text around 2:30 a.m. and has been up ever since. ‘There have been very few people who have served as role models throughout my baseball career, with my father being the first and Mike Brumley being the second.
‘I feel for his family, his children, and everyone he was connected to. Today is a horrible day. Prayers go out to his family. It’s a difficult pill to swallow.
Riley stated that he communicated with Brumley on a daily basis and worked on his swing with him just days ago, while the Braves were in Baltimore.
The Seattle Mariners also paid respect to Brumley, who played for the team in 1990 and later became a coach for four seasons (2010-13).
‘We are heartbroken by the passing of former Mariners player and coach Mike Brumley,’ the team wrote on social media.
“Our hearts go out to his family, friends, and loved ones. Mike’s influence on the field, on our organization, and throughout baseball was felt by generations of players.
Brumley was a second-round pick by the Boston Red Sox in 1983 and was part of a big trade before even reaching the majors. He was sent to the Chicago Cubs with relief ace Dennis Eckersley for first baseman Bill Buckner in May 1984.
Brumley made his major league debut with Chicago in 1987 and later played for the Detroit Tigers (1989), Mariners, Red Sox (1991-92), Houston Astros (1993, 1995) and Oakland Athletics (1994).
Brumley batted .206 with three homers and 38 RBIs in 295 major league games. He also was a coach for the Cubs in 2014 and had minor league instructor jobs with the Texas Rangers (2005-07) and Los Angeles Dodgers (2009).
Before being drafted, Brumley was the starting shortstop for Texas’ College World Series-winning team in 1983, which included future major league pitchers Roger Clemens, Calvin Schiraldi, and Bruce Ruffin.
Brumley is the son of Mike Brumley, a former Major League catcher who played parts of three seasons with the Washington Senators in the 1960s.