Local

Austin Riley dedicates HR to former Braves hitting instructor who died in crash

By Courtney Martinez, WSBTV.com

Austin Riley dedicates HR to mentor Atlanta Braves' Austin Riley reacts as he rounds the bases after hitting a two-run homer during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Tampa Bay Rays, Sunday, June 16, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Butch Dill) (Butch Dill/AP)

By Courtney Martinez, WSBTV.com

ATLANTA — During Atlanta’s series win over Tampa Bay this weekend, Braves third baseman Austin Riley returned to form and crushed a home run in all three games.

His blast in the eighth inning on Sunday carried extra meaning as he pointed to the sky to honor a mentor and friend.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

Riley learned early Sunday morning that former Braves hitting instructor Mike Brumley had died in a car crash overnight. He was 61.

“Throughout the whole at-bat, he was in the back of my mind the whole time, really all day,” Riley told reporters in the Braves locker room after the game.

Riley said he got a text message around 2:30 a.m. Sunday with news of the crash and couldn’t go back to sleep. He credited Brumley as one of his biggest supporters.

“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. But this isn’t about me. I feel for his family, his kids and everybody that he was close to. It’s just a tragic day. Prayers go out to his family,” Riley added.

TRENDING STORIES:

Brumley, who spent eight seasons as a journeyman in the majors, worked with Riley and other players in the Braves organization from 2018 until 2021.

Brumley’s mentorship for Riley didn’t end and the Braves third baseman said that the two had just worked together last week in Baltimore.

“Besides my dad talking about my swing every day, I talked to him on a regular basis. It’s going to be tough going forward,” Riley said.

Details about what led up to the crash that killed Brumley have not been released.

[SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]

IN OTHER NEWS:

Original World of Coke building demolished in downtown Atlanta

©2024 Cox Media Group

0

Most Read