Former MLB Infielder Mike Brumley Dies in Car Crash at Age 61

Former MLB infielder Mike Brumley died in a car crash in Mississippi on Saturday night at the age of 61, per ABC News.

Brumley played in the majors from 1987 to 1995, spending time with the Chicago Cubs, Detroit Tigers, Seattle Mariners, Boston Red Sox, Houston Astors, Oakland Athletics and Houston Astros. He also became a coach and hitting instructor with the Mariners, Cubs, Texas Rangers and Los Angeles Dodgers, and most recently served as minor league coach and hitting instructor with the Atlanta Braves from 2018 to 2022.

Braves third baseman Austin Riley described Brumley as one of the most influential people in his life.

"I got a text about 2:30 this morning and I have been up since," Riley told reporters after Sunday's 8-6 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays. "There are very few people that have been role models in my baseball career, my dad being No. 1 and Mike Brumley being No. 2. I feel for his family and his kids and everybody that he was close to. This is a tragic day. Prayers out to his family. It's a tough pill to swallow."

Riley paid tribute to his mentor by hitting a game-tying two-run home run in the eighth inning of Sunday's game.

The 27-year-old said he worked with Brumley as recently as this week when the Braves were visiting the Baltimore Orioles.

"I talked to him on a regular basis," Riley said. "It's going to be tough going forward, just from a mental standpoint. I'm just going to have to pray harder and lean on God. It's in his hands."

Brumley appeared in 295 career games in the majors and hit .206 with three home runs and 38 RBI. He also won a College World Series with Texas in 1983 on a team that included pitchers Roger Clemens, Calvin Schiraldi and Bruce Ruffin.