In a shocking turn of events, Sean Burroughs, a former Olympic gold medalist, Little League World Series winner, and esteemed MLB player, has tragically passed away at the age of 43. The news was announced by the Long Beach Little League organization based in California on Friday.

According to reports, Burroughs suffered a cardiac arrest, as confirmed by his mother, Debbie Burroughs, via text to the Southern California News Group. The incident occurred on Thursday at the Long Beach complex when Burroughs was found unresponsive next to his vehicle after dropping his son off for a game.

Burroughs, known for his illustrious baseball career, had won back-to-back Little League World Series titles for Long Beach in 1992 and 1993, becoming a local hero at the age of 12. His talent and dedication to the sport captured national attention, leading to an appearance on "The Late Show with David Letterman" following his second championship.

In 2000, Burroughs then went on to clinch a gold medal with Team USA in baseball at the Summer Olympics held in Sydney, Australia. The victory was significant as it marked the first-ever Olympic gold for the American baseball program. USA Baseball's Executive Director and CEO, Paul Seiler, expressed deep sorrow at the loss, describing Burroughs as a cherished member of their team.

Drafted in 1998 as the ninth overall pick by the San Diego Padres, Burroughs had a commendable MLB career lasting seven seasons, playing for teams including the Padres, Tampa Bay Rays (previously known as the Devil Rays), Arizona Diamondbacks, and Minnesota Twins. He finished his career with a respectable batting average of .278 and contributed 12 home runs and 143 runs batted in.

Tributes have poured in from the baseball community. The Padres expressed their condolences, acknowledging Burroughs as a former Padres third baseman. The Diamondbacks, with whom he was part of the 2011 NL West champion team, also mourned his passing and reminisced about his impact on the team.

Burroughs came from a baseball family, with his father, Jeff Burroughs, being named the American League Most Valuable Player in 1974 while playing for the Texas Rangers.

The news of Sean Burroughs' untimely demise has deeply saddened many, including Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson, who expressed condolences on behalf of the community, calling Burroughs a local hero and baseball legend. The impact of his loss will be felt for years to come.

To honor his memory, a candlelight vigil has been scheduled at Stearns Champions Park in Long Beach on Saturday night, providing an opportunity for friends, fans, and loved ones to pay their respects and remember the extraordinary talent that was Sean Burroughs.