Former infielder Mike Brumley died in a car crash on Saturday at the too young age of 61:

Brumley played for six teams from 1987 to 1995. He most recently served as a minor league coach and instructor for the Atlanta Braves from 2018 to 2022.

Braves third baseman Austin Riley was awoken from his sleep Sunday morning with the news that one of the most influential people in his career had been killed.

“I got a text about 2:30 this morning and I have been up since,” Riley said after homering in 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.”

ESPN.com

My thought go out to his family and friends.

Brumley was a classic light-hitting middle infielder, with a career .206/.261/.272. He came up when middle infielders were starting to hit for power. He had four seasons as a utility player, and four seasons trying to catch on with other teams, but never getting by the cup of coffee. His strength was his speed, as he went 20 for 26 as a base stealer.

His dad also had a brief MLB career as a catcher.