The 17-year-old daughter of a Toronto Blue Jays first base coach died in a “horrific accident” while tubing in the US this weekend.
The team announced the transfer of Julia Budzinski on Sunday morning after Mark Budzinski left the Blue Jays’ bullpen early in the second game of a doubleheader against the Tampa Bay Rays on Saturday.
According to Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources spokeswoman Paige Pearson, two girls were in a tube towed behind a boat on the James River in Virginia this weekend when they fell.
She said the boat driver turned around in an attempt to pick up the girls to get them out of the water.
“When the boat came to pick up the girls, a wave came and basically flipped the boat over the victim and the propeller hit her,” Pearson told CTV News Toronto.
She said the boat driver immediately jumped into the river to save the girl, as did another boat operator who was passing by.
“After they pulled the girl out of the water, they rushed back for help,” she said. “She was brought ashore but pronounced dead.”
Pearson said foul play is not suspected and alcohol was not a factor in the incident.
“It was a terrible accident,” she said.
In a statement released by the Blue Jays on Sunday, the team said the entire organization mourns the loss of Julia.
“I have known Bud for more than 25 years and have always admired his dedication as a father and husband above all else,” said Ross Atkins, executive vice president of baseball operations and general manager of the Blue Jays.
“He is loved and respected by our whole club and holds a special place in all our hearts.”
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