MLB Star's Son Succumbs to Fentanyl Overdose

Former MLB infielder Sean Burroughs, son of the legendary Jeff Burroughs and a star of the Long Beach Little League World Series teams, passed away due to fentanyl intoxication.

The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner has ruled that the death of former MLB infielder Sean Burroughs, son of ex-outfielder Jeff Burroughs, was an accident caused by fentanyl intoxication. The 43-year-old was discovered unresponsive near his vehicle in May at a California baseball field after dropping off his son for a Little League game. Despite efforts to revive him, Burroughs tragically passed away.

Burroughs rose to fame as a member of the Long Beach Little League team that won the Little League World Series in both 1992 and 1993. In the latter year, he pitched consecutive no-hitters to lead his team to back-to-back titles. His exceptional performance earned him the MVP award at the MLB All-Star Futures Games and a gold medal with Team USA in the 2000 Olympics.

MLB Star's Son Succumbs to Fentanyl Overdose

After being selected by the San Diego Padres with the No. 9 overall pick in the 1998 MLB Draft, Burroughs became a star slugger in their farm system. He played with the Padres from 2002 to 2005 before being traded to the Tampa Bay Rays. He subsequently played for the Arizona Diamondbacks and Minnesota Twins until 2012, when he retired from Major League Baseball.

In 2023, Burroughs briefly played in the Los Angeles Dodgers' organization before joining the Bridgeport Bluefish and Long Island Ducks in the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. In 2011, he publicly admitted to ESPN that he had struggled with substance abuse issues, attributing his decline in passion and drive to the emotional and physical toll it had taken on him.

MLB Star's Son Succumbs to Fentanyl Overdose

Sean Burroughs' untimely demise serves as a somber reminder of the devastating consequences of fentanyl overdoses. The powerful synthetic opioid has become a major public health concern, surpassing heroin as the leading cause of overdose deaths in the United States.

The tragedy has also cast a shadow over the legacy of the Long Beach Little League teams of 1992 and 1993. These teams, led by Burroughs' stellar pitching, achieved unparalleled success on the national stage. However, the revelation that Burroughs was grappling with substance abuse during this time raises questions about the pressures and expectations placed on young athletes.

MLB Star's Son Succumbs to Fentanyl Overdose

The loss of Sean Burroughs is a profound loss for the baseball community and for his family. His immense talent and contributions to the sport will be forever remembered, even as his passing underscores the urgent need to address the opioid crisis that continues to claim countless lives.