The 17-year-old daughter of Toronto Blue Jays' first base coach Mark "Bud" Budzinski died Saturday, reportedly after a boating accident in Virginia.
Julia Budzinski was one of two girls who fell off a tube being pulled behind a boat on the James River in Richmond on Saturday, Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources spokesperson Paige Pearson said
As the boat operator returned to get the girls out of the water, the boat hit a wave, causing it to be pushed on top of Budzinski and striking her with the propeller, Pearson said.
Mark Budzinski left the Blue Jays in the third inning of the second game of the team’s doubleheader against the Rays on Saturday after learning of his daughter’s death.
The Blue Jays later issued a statement saying he would take some time away from the team to grieve with his family.
There was a moment of silence for Julia Budzinski before Sunday’s series finale.
"She was always happy. She was always laughing and smiling and working hard. ... She always brought an energy that was uplifting. ... She held herself to a high standard.”