Former MLB infielder and Braves coach Mike Brumley, 61, dies in car crash in Mississippi

Former journeyman infielder and minor league instructor Mike Brumley has been killed in a Mississippi car crash at 61.

Brumley died in the multi-vehicle wreck on Interstate 20 near Edwards, Mississippi on Saturday. The collision involved three cars and two 18-wheelers, according to WLBT.com.

The retired infielder was a passenger in a Ford Maverick at the time of the crash, and was pronounced dead at the scene.

The crash is still under investigation by the Mississippi Highway Patrol.

Brumley played for six teams between 1987 and 1995, but was perhaps best remembered as a minor-league instructor in the Atlanta Braves organization, where he worked with future All-Star third baseman Austin Riley.

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.'

Riley said that he spoke to Brumley on a regular basis and worked on his swing with him just days ago when the Braves were in Baltimore.

The Seattle Mariners also paid tribute to Brumley, who played for the club in 1990 and was later a coach for four seasons (2010-13).

'We are saddened by the passing of former Mariners player and coach, Mike Brumley,' the team said on social media. 

'Our hearts go out to his family, friends and loved ones. Mike's impact on the field, in our organization and across baseball, was felt by generations of players.'

Brumley was a second-round pick by the Boston Red Sox in 1983 and was part of a big trade before even reaching the majors. He was sent to the Chicago Cubs with relief ace Dennis Eckersley for first baseman Bill Buckner in May 1984.

Brumley made his major league debut with Chicago in 1987 and later played for the Detroit Tigers (1989), Mariners, Red Sox (1991-92), Houston Astros (1993, 1995) and Oakland Athletics (1994).

Brumley batted .206 with three homers and 38 RBIs in 295 major league games. He also was a coach for the Cubs in 2014 and had minor league instructor jobs with the Texas Rangers (2005-07) and Los Angeles Dodgers (2009).

Before being drafted, Brumley was the starting shortstop of Texas' College World Series-winning team in 1983 that featured future big league pitchers Roger Clemens, Calvin Schiraldi and Bruce Ruffin.

Brumley is the son of former Major League catcher, Mike Brumley, who played parts of three seasons with the Washington Senators in the 1960s.