Former MLB infielder and Braves coach Mike Brumley, 61, dies in car crash in Mississippi
- Mike Brumley died Saturday at the age of 61 in a car accident in Mississippi
- He was instrumental in the career of Braves All-Star, Austin Riley
- Brumley was part of the trade that sent Bill Buckner from the Cubs to the Red Sox
Former journeyman infielder and minor league instructor Mike Brumley has died at the age of 61 in a car accident in Mississippi.
Brumley was killed Saturday in a multi-vehicle wreck on Interstate 20 near Edwards, Mississippi. The collision involved three cars and two eighteen-wheelers WLBT.com.
The retired infielder was a passenger in a Ford Maverick at the time of the crash and was pronounced dead at the scene.
The crash remains under investigation by the Mississippi Highway Patrol.
Brumley played for six teams between 1987 and 1995, but is perhaps best remembered as a minor league instructor in the Atlanta Braves organization, where he worked with future All-Star third baseman Austin Riley.
Mike Brumley of the Seattle Mariners looks on during batting practice before a 1990 game
Brumley made his major league debut with Chicago in 1987 and later coached in the minors
Riley was woken from his sleep on Sunday morning to the news that one of the most influential people of his career had been murdered.
“I got a text around 2:30 this morning and I’ve been awake ever since,” Riley said after homering in Sunday’s 8-6 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays. “There are very few people who have been role models in my baseball career; my dad was #1 and Mike Brumley was #2.
“I feel for his family and his children and everyone he was close to. This is a tragic day. Prayers out for his family. It’s a tough pill to swallow.”
Riley said he spoke with Brumley regularly and worked with him on his swing a few days ago when the Braves were in Baltimore.
The Seattle Mariners also paid tribute to Brumley, who played for the club in 1990 and later coached for four seasons (2010-2013).
“We are saddened by the passing of former Mariners player and coach Mike Brumley,” the team said on social media.
‘Our thoughts go out to his family, friends and loved ones. Mike’s impact on the field, in our organization and in baseball, was felt by generations of players.”
Brumley was killed Saturday in a multi-vehicle wreck on Interstate 20 near Edwards, Mississippi
Brumley teamed up with future All-Star third baseman Austin Riley (photo)
Brumley was a second-round pick by the Boston Red Sox in 1983 and was part of a major trade before he even reached the majors. He was sent to the Chicago Cubs in May 1984 with relief ace Dennis Eckersley for first baseman Bill Buckner.
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 hit .206 with three home runs and 38 RBIs in 295 Major League games. He also coached for the Cubs in 2014 and held minor league coaching jobs with the Texas Rangers (2005-2007) and Los Angeles Dodgers (2009).
Before he was drafted, Brumley was the starting shortstop on Texas’ College World Series-winning team in 1983, featuring future big league pitchers Roger Clemens, Calvin Schiraldi and Bruce Ruffin.
Brumley is the son of former Major League catcher Mike Brumley, who played parts of three seasons with the Washington Senators in the 1960s.