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eldest daughter of Toronto Blue Jays First base coach Mark Budzinski tragically passed away on Saturday and the team said he would be away from the organization for some time.
17-year-old Julia Budzinski dies in boating accident in Virginia Richmond Times-Dispatch Reported citing family. Details surrounding the incident were unclear. Glen Allen High School, where Julia was a multisport athlete, a member of the National Honor Society and affiliated with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, held a watch for the student Sunday night.
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Tampa Bay Rays players and staff stand for a moment of silence over the death of Julia Budzinski, the eldest daughter of Blue Jays first base coach Mark Budzinski, at the Rogers Center on July 3, 2022 in Toronto, Canada.
(Cole Burston/Getty Images)
Blue Jays held a moment Silence for Budzinski’s Daughter at the Rogers Center.
“The Budzinskis have been a part of our Blue Jays family over the past four seasons,” general manager Ross Atkins said in a statement. “This devastating loss is felt by our entire organization and we grieve with Bud and his family. I have known Budd for over 25 years and have always admired his commitment as a father and husband. He is loved and respected by us throughout the clubhouse and holds a special place in all our hearts.”
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There’s a moment of silence for Julia Budzinski at the Toronto Blue Jays before playing the Tampa Bay Rays at Rogers Center.
(Kevin Sousa – USA Today Sports)
Budzinski left the dugout on Saturday to be with his family. Blue Jays manager Charlie Montoyo also left the game. Montoyo said he understands that things are bigger than a game of baseball. Their youngest son was born with a rare heart defect and has undergone several surgeries.
“It’s not about me, but I always get pictures of my son (at my desk) because I know life can always be worse,” Montoyo said, via athletic, “The moment it happened, my heart is with Bud. The game? We have enough coaches who can do their job, so my job was to be with Mark.
“There are good men and great men. He is a great man. Everyone will hurt someone. But he is a special kind of person.”
Mark Budzinski has been in baseball for several seasons. He played four games for Cincinnati Reds and retired as a player in 2005. He managed the Cleveland Indians’ minor league system for a few years and joined the organization’s major league staff in 2017.
Blue Jays first base coach Mark Budzinski sits in the dugout before a game against the Oakland Athletics at Rogers Center in Toronto on September 3, 2021.
(Nick Turchiaro-USA Today Sports)
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He has been with Toronto since November 2018.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.