Sean Burroughs was an Olympic gold medal-winning MLB third baseman who spent four years with the San Diego Padres.
- Died: May 9, 2024 (Who else died on May 9?)
- Details of death: Died in Long Beach, CA of cardiac arrest at the age of 43.
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Sean Burroughs’ legacy
Sean Burroughs was a star athlete at just 12 years old. A two-time Little League world champion who pitched back-to-back no-hitters in the Little League World Series, Burroughs was launched into the spotlight as a kid, and he even managed to make David Letterman laugh during a late-night appearance. His Long Beach squad’s wins in 1992 and 1993 made them the first American team to win the LLWS back-to-back.
In 2000, Burroughs played baseball in the Summer Olympics, winning a gold medal with the U.S. team. He was drafted by the Padres and ended up playing four seasons with them before being traded to the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. He signed with the Seattle Mariners after being released from the Rays, but immediately left professional baseball, in part because he was struggling with drug addiction.
After a five-year absence, Burroughs made a comeback in 2011, playing with the Arizona Diamondbacks and Minnesota Twins before finishing his career in the independent Atlantic League of Professional Baseball.
On overcoming his struggles with addiction:
“I knew it would be a long journey, but it shows when I put my mind to something and want it and persevere, it’s possible. It really is. It’s incredible I’m where I’m at. People are lucky to even have me alive, forget to see me play baseball and smiling every day. My worst day now is better than my best day then.” — ESPN interview, 2011
Tributes to Sean Burroughs
Full obituary: LittleLeague.org
