RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — Mark Budzinski seems like your typical real estate agent but that quickly changes when you learn about his other job.
Budzinski played baseball for the University of Richmond before his professional career where he spent 11 seasons in the minor leagues. In 2003, his big league dreams came true while playing with the Cincinnati Reds.
After retirement, Budzinski has enjoyed a career in real estate and lives in the Richmond area with his wife and three children.
But baseball would come calling again in 2014 when he joined the Cleveland Indians organization as a minor league manager.
However, that did not mean stepping away from real estate.
“I’m very open and honest,” says Budzinski referring to his clients. “I’m going to be out of town a lot so first meeting I always make sure they know that so that they’re they’re comfortable with my situation.”
Budzinski joined Terry Francona’s staff in Cleveland in 2018.
The Indians won the AL Central and following the season Toronto asked Budzinski to join their team as a first base coach, a position he will hold starting this season.
“Wasn’t really looking for a change,” says Budzinski about leaving Cleveland, adding that the situation in Toronto was “too good to pass up.”
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