Ex-MLB Player Dies at Son’s Little League Game

(DailyVantage.com) – Former MLB star Sean Burroughs has passed away at the age of 43.

Burroughs collapsed at his son’s Little League game, in Long Beach, California, shortly after dropping off the boy at the game. Doug Wittman, the president of the Long Beach Little League, the former MLB player was found unconscious in his car in the parking lot. CPR was administered to Burroughs, but attempts are resuscitation failed, and he was pronounced dead on the scene shortly after.

The cause of his death was ruled to be a cardiac arrest, according to his mother Debbie.

In a statement released on social media, the Long Beach Little League announced the death of Burroughs, who also served as one of the coaches in the league. He was described as a “legend in LBLL” as well as coach who always had a “fun and friendly attitude” and was always helpful and effective in getting “any kid out of a batting rut.”

“To say that this is a huge loss is an understatement,” the announcement further read.

Burroughs began his baseball career in the Little Leagues, and his pitching led his team to be the first U.S. Little League team to win consecutive world championships. The first was in 1992, when the Philippines had to forfeit due to overaged players. The second was in 1993, when Long Beach beat Panama, 3-2, after Burroughs pitched successive no-hitters.

He then moved on to play for Long Beach Wilson High’s baseball team, becoming its star pitcher. In 1998, he was the No. 9 overall pick and was chosen by the San Diego Padres. He made his major league debut as a third baseman in April 2002, and has the distinction of recording the Padres’ first walk-off hit in Petco Park history in 2004.

Burroughs took a break from playing from 2008 to 2010 to deal with his substance abuse issues, and returned to MLB in 2011 to 2012. His last team was the Minnesota Twins, playing 10 games with them before leaving MLB.

Burroughs was also part of the U.S. baseball Olympic team that won the country’s first gold medal in the sport in the 2000 Sydney Olympics, defeating Cuba, 4-0.