Toronto Blue Jays first base coach Mark Budzinski (left). Photo: University of Richmond Athletics
Mark Budzinski, 52, was a manager at one of the lower rungs of minor-league baseball, guiding the Single-A Lynchburg club in the Cleveland farm system.
Now the former University of Richmond standout is the first base coach of the Toronto Blue Jays in the World Series – at the highest rung of the sport.
“Spending time in the minor leagues both as a player and as a manager makes you appreciate every game in professional baseball that much more,” he wrote to AFP as the World Series began in Toronto. “From the relationships you form, the many hours you spend together, the things you see on a baseball field that you have never seen before, and the opportunity to play and coach in playoff games and championship series is so very rewarding. It is all a learning experience from day one and continues to be. It makes you appreciate the game and all that goes into preparing for each and every day and then doing your best to go out and execute. I am most happy for our organization as a whole from top to bottom to have the opportunity to bring a championship back to Toronto and Canada. These opportunities don’t present themselves all too often and I am sure not going to take it for granted.”
Mark Budzinski in Lynchburg. Photo: Lynchburg Hillcats
Budzinski managed in Lynchburg from 2015-2016. In 2016, Lynchburg lost in the Carolina League championship finals to Myrtle Beach.
The Baltimore native, from Severna Park High near Annapolis, also guided Low-A Lake County in 2014 and Double-A Akron in 2017 in the Cleveland system. He played in four games with the Cincinnati Reds in 2004.
“In our two seasons in Lynchburg, some of my fondest memories are seeing our kids spend time around our other coaches kids (Rigo Beltran and Bobby Magallanes families), working with Chris Jones and Ronnie Roberts in the (Lynchburg) front office who were two of the best, observing Francisco Mejia reach a 50-game hit streak, watching the hard work of the players and staff result in playoff series opportunities and getting the chance to play in a championship series, and renting an older house in a neighborhood with a cellar that our strength coach, Juan Acevedo, lived in. Our kids were very young, and it was enjoyable having them around the clubhouse and to share the professional baseball experience with them,” recalls Budzinski, who was drafted out of Richmond by Cleveland in the 21st round in 1995.
Magallanes, the hitting coach for Lynchburg in 2015, was on the coaching staff of the Atlanta Braves squad that won the World Series in 2021. The manager of that team was Brian Snitker, who played for the Staunton Braves of the Valley Baseball League in the 1970s.
Budzinski was part of a Richmond team that went to the NCAA Regionals in 1995. The former outfielder played in the minors from 1995-2005 with Cleveland, the Chicago Cubs, Milwaukee Brewers, Cincinnati Reds and Philadelphia Phillies.
“My best memories with the Spiders are the times I got to spend with my teammates on and off the field. The practice sessions, hitting inside of Millhiser Gym late at night, the conversations in the vans to and from games, enjoying meals together at the dining hall, sharing laughs in the locker room, and getting the chance to compete day in and day out in what lead to a trip to the Regionals at Clemson in 1995 – so much fun and great times which I will cherish forever! Thankful to Coach (Ron) Atkins and Coach (Mark) McQueen for giving me the opportunity to play at UR and all the coaches there that contributed to my development as a player and as a person,” Budzinski noted.
One of his teammates at Richmond was Sean Casey, who was also drafted by Cleveland and then played in the majors with Cleveland, the Reds, Pittsburgh Pirates, Detroit Tigers and Boston Red Sox. A lefty slugger, Casey hit .302 in the big leagues with more than 1,500 hits. Atkins went into the Virginia Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2022.
Budzinski joined the Toronto coaching after the 2018 season.
“I first met (current manager) John Schneider in 2019, which is when we joined Charlie Montoyo’s staff in the big leagues. John had been coaching and managing in the minor leagues with the Blue Jays for several years, and I came over from Cleveland. I am fortunate to be able to call John a good friend and am thankful for the time we have spent together with the Blue Jays and for him to be such a great leader for our team,” Budzinski noted.
Now the former Richmond star is in the Fall Classic.
The Blue Jays Opening Day roster included infielder Will Wagner, who played at the Miller School for his father, Hall of Famer Billy Wagner, then at Liberty University. The younger Wagner, who played in the Rockingham County Baseball League (RCBL) in 2020, was traded by the Jays to the San Diego Padres in late July.
Toronto, though, has plenty of infield depth – and much more.
“The most special characteristic about this 2025 Jays team in my opinion is their resiliency. No matter what happens in a previous game, the following day is a clean slate and new start. They show up every day ready to work hard and compete. They are unselfish and truly care about each other and doing all they can to win today’s game. They have fun together on and off the field and are a great mix of younger players and seasoned veterans. The cohesiveness and collaboration from top to bottom as an organization is impressive. It is truly a blessing to be a part of such a special group of people,” according to Budzinski.
Notes
Budzinski’s grandfather on his father’s side was born and raised in Poland and met the grandmother of the Toronto coach while in Germany during World War II.
Among the players Budzinski managed in Lynchburg were future MLB slugger Clint Frazier; Anthony Santander, the former Baltimore Oriole who played this year with Toronto; and Mike Papi, a standout at the University of Virginia.
Papi also played under Budzinski at Akron, as did future MLB All-Star pitcher Shane Bieber. Mejia, the former Lynchburg player, broke in with Cleveland in 2017 and last played in the majors in 2023 with Tampa Bay. He played at Triple-A for the Washington Nationals at Rochester this past season. Papi, who never reached the majors, also played for Budzinski at Lake County.
Former Lynchburg Hillcats general manager Ronnie Roberts passed in 2020.