Former MLB First Round Pick Sean Burroughs Passes Away at 43
“Former MLB First Round Pick Sean Burroughs Dies Suddenly at 43 While Coaching Son’s Little League Game”
The baseball world mourns the sudden loss of Sean Burroughs, the ninth-overall selection in the 1998 MLB Draft, who tragically passed away at the age of 43. The devastating news was announced on Friday, sending shockwaves through the sports community.
Burroughs, a former standout third baseman, was coaching his son’s Little League game in California on Thursday when he suddenly suffered cardiac arrest, marking the untimely end of his life.
Renowned for his exceptional talent on the diamond, Burroughs made his mark early in his career as a pivotal member of the Long Beach Little League World Series teams in 1992-93.
Notably, he achieved the remarkable feat of becoming the first American-born pitcher to hurl back-to-back no-hitters, leading his team to clinch two consecutive titles.
Adding a layer of poignancy, his father, former American League MVP Jeff Burroughs, served as the team’s coach during this period.
Despite initially committing to play college baseball at the University of Southern California, Burroughs opted to jumpstart his professional career instead.
His journey led him to represent the United States baseball team at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, where he clinched a gold medal.
Burroughs went on to enjoy a seven-season stint in Major League Baseball, donning the jerseys of the San Diego Padres, Tampa Bay Devil Rays, Arizona Diamondbacks, and Minnesota Twins. Throughout his MLB tenure, he amassed impressive statistics, recording 463 hits, 143 RBI, and 12 home runs in 528 games and 1,664 plate appearances.
Following his departure from the majors, Burroughs remained involved in the sport, both as a player in independent leagues and as a coach for his son, Knox, in the Long Beach Little League—the very place where his illustrious career began.
The Long Beach Little League community, encapsulating the profound impact Burroughs had, expressed their sorrow over his passing.
LBLL president Doug Wittman and the organization’s board of directors issued a heartfelt statement, remembering Burroughs as a coach who radiated joy, knowledge, and humility.
They vowed to honor his legacy by continuing to foster a supportive and familial environment within the league, keeping his family in their thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
Former MLB First Round Pick Sean Burroughs Passes Away at 43
