The Long Beach Little League (LBLL) shared a heartfelt statement on Instagram about Sean Burroughs’ untimely passing on May 9, 2024. Burroughs had fallen unconscious next to his car in a parking lot after dropping off his 6-year-old son for his little league game. CPR was performed but was unable to revive him, and he was later pronounced dead at the scene, according to Doug Wittman, LBLL president.
Burroughs returned to Stearns Champion Park in Long Beach, California, where he began coaching for the same little league team he had been on as a child. He returned to his home fields after his time in the major and minor leagues. In the LBLL, he was coached by his father, 1974 Texas Rangers American League MVP Jeff Burroughs.
Terrible Tragedy
The Ducks are saddened to learn of the passing of former infielder Sean Burroughs.
The 7-year @MLB veteran played 79 games with the Ducks (2015-16), winning the @AtlanticLg batting title in 2015.
Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends at this difficult time. pic.twitter.com/5liK2FlFsL
— Long Island Ducks (@LIDucks) May 10, 2024
Sean Burroughs, 43, Dies At Son’s Baseball Game
Sean Burroughs was more than just a legacy baseball player; he was a force to be reckoned with from a very young age. Burroughs’ legendary career started in LBLL, where he was the driving force behind winning back-to-back Little League Championships in 1992 and 1993 by throwing back-to-back no-hitters. He became the first American-born player to accomplish that as a pitcher and made baseball history. He also set a record of 16 strikeouts and hit .600.
As an 18-year-old, he was drafted as the ninth pick for the San Diego Padres in 1998 as a third baseman. In 2000, he joined the Summer Olympics in the All-Star Futures Game and was named MVP, along with winning the gold medal. In 2002, Burroughs made his debut with the Padres. Then, in 2004, Burroughs hit a double, the first extra-base hit in Petco Park’s history, allowing Khalil Greene to score the first run at Petco Park. Burroughs played four seasons with the Padres and hit .282 with 11 home runs.
Sean Burroughs: A Force To Be Reckoned With
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In 2006, Sean Burroughs signed on with the Seattle Mariners but was released less than halfway into the contract in 2007 due to alcohol and drug addiction. “You go through some ups and downs and peaks and valleys. That was kind of a valley for a couple of years there. I was mentally and physically just drained from baseball,” Burroughs stated.
Despite facing challenges, Sean Burroughs turned his life around and was back to playing baseball for the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2011. He concluded his MLB career in 2012 after playing ten games with the Minnesota Twins. Burroughs later played in the minor leagues with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2013, Bridgeport Bluefish in 2014-2015, and was traded in 2015 to the Long Island Ducks.
His love for baseball may have dwindled in some years, but his passion for baseball never fully disappeared. Instead of dwelling on his past mistakes and allowing bitterness to win, he overcame his addictions. He used his baseball knowledge to teach LBLL players with a fun and friendly attitude.
Although this is a heartbreaking time for those who knew Burroughs and his LBLL team, they intend to focus on honoring Sean Burroughs by playing baseball the way he wanted them to.
“We will have his family in our thoughts and prayers during this time and try to end the season playing the kind of baseball Coach Sean would be proud of,” Long Beach Little League wrote.
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About The Author
Tanya has been writing for over a decade and loves writing about any subject. She grew up watching her five brothers play football, baseball, and basketball while she played volleyball, basketball, and softball and was in track and field and cross country. She also likes writing about entertainment, gaming, and events going on in her hometown, El Paso, TX., home of Chicos Tacos. Her love for writing drives her to write the best material possible.
