On July 2, 2022, while coaching a doubleheader at home against the Tampa Bay Rays, Mark Budzinski received the devastating news that his daughter Julia had died in a boating accident on Virginia’s James River. The 17‑year-old — a talented, three‑sport high‑school athlete known for her humor, kindness and competitive spirit — was tubing when the boat operator hit a wave and the boat’s propeller fatally struck her. No foul play or alcohol was involved, authorities said.
The loss sent shockwaves through the Blue Jays organization. The team released a statement expressing collective grief and support, while teammates stood along the foul lines before the next game for a moment of silence.
Budzinski took time away from the club to mourn alongside his wife, Monica Budzinski, and their two other children, Josh and Lily.
After several weeks, Budzinski returned to the Blue Jays following the All‑Star break — finding in the routine of baseball a form of healing and solace. On his first game back, the team scored 28 runs — a franchise record — an emotional moment many associated as a tribute to Julia.
Though he didn’t speak publicly afterwards, teammates honored Julia by inscribing “JB” on their caps and offering silent support.
In a recent interview marking the three‑year anniversary of Julia’s passing, Budzinski opened up about the enduring pain, the memories, and the faith that sustains him. He described Julia as “a fierce competitor, social butterfly, with a sarcastic wit … loved being around people” — a daughter whose ambition and spirit defined much of who she was.
He admitted the grief remains raw — “the loss and the pain will never go away” — yet he also spoke of a quiet conviction: that there is “more than what we understand here,” and a hope that Julia was needed elsewhere.
Budzinski revealed that he thinks of Julia often — in small daily routines, before the national anthem, during games, in quiet moments. Some days are harder than others; but he chooses to remember the laughter, the joy, and the time they had together.
For Budzinski and his family, faith has been central to their healing. A devout Christian and member of faith‑based groups, Budzinski has said his belief gives meaning to suffering and hope beyond loss.
His presence on the field now carries a different weight. To teammates and fans, he is more than a coach — a living testimony of resilience, loyalty, and unwavering dedication to family. His story has reverberated through baseball: reminding everyone that behind the lineups, statistics, and stadium lights are real lives, human joys — and human tragedies.
In interviews, players close to Budzinski have expressed admiration not only for his quiet strength, but for the grace with which he has handled grief, continued coaching, and remained committed to both his profession and family.
Julia’s memory lives in countless small ways — in cap brims marked “JB,” in teammates’ quiet prayers, in her father’s daily reflections. Budzinski doesn’t ask the world to forget; instead, through remembrance and gratitude, he asks to celebrate her.
“Julia wouldn’t want people crying over her,” Monica once said at a vigil, echoing earlier words meant to honor their daughter’s spirit. She asked friends to remember Julia laughing, living, being herself — and that’s the legacy the family carries forward.
Three years after the unthinkable tragedy, Mark Budzinski’s journey — from grief and silence to gentle openness and quiet strength — offers a powerful reminder: that loss doesn’t end stories, it transforms them. Through faith, family, baseball and community, he continues to honor his daughter’s life in the only way he knows — by living forward, loving deeply, and coaching with renewed purpose.
His story resonates far beyond sports. It speaks to anyone who has loved and lost, to anyone seeking light after darkness. And in a world often defined by wins and losses, it shows that sometimes the greatest victories are won not on the field — but in the heart.
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