The team announced on Sunday that Toronto Blue Jays coach Mark Budzinski will miss the team following the death of his eldest daughter, Julia Budzinski.
“Budzinskis has been part of the Blue Jays family for the past four seasons. This devastating loss has been felt by our entire organization as we mourn alongside Bud and his family,” Ross Atkins, Blue Jays executive vice president of baseball operations and general manager, said in a statement. “I have known Bud for over 25 years and have always been impressed by his commitment as a father and husband first. He is well loved and respected by our entire club and holds a special place in all of our hearts.”
The team said Budzinski will be away from the team to be with his wife, Monica, and two children, Josh and Lily. The Blue Jays did not release the age of Julia Budzinski.
Mark Budzinski and manager Charlie Montoyo left in the third game of Saturday’s second game for the Blue Jays’ double header against the Tampa Bay Rays. After the match, the Blue Jays closed their club and said Montoyo and the team’s other coaches were with Budzinski, who was “dealing with a personal matter”.
Budzinski played four games for Cincinnati in 2003 and retired in 2005. After managing in the Cleveland minor league system, he joined the senior league staff in 2017. Toronto appointed Budzinski in November 2018.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
More Stories
John Daniels was kicked out by the Rangers
Tim Benz: Red Sox broadcast team insults pirates – hope everyone in Pittsburgh applauds what they said
Karl Nessib, the first gay active player in the NFL, is set to join the Buccaneers