Late Phillies RHP Tyson Brummett flew to support front lines
By Matt Rappa
Late Phillies pitcher Tyson Brummett used his piloting hobby to support frontline healthcare workers
The professional baseball careers of former Philadelphia Phillies right-handed pitchers Tyson Brummett, Roy Halladay, and Cory Lidle were far from the same.
Brummett appeared in just one major league game, while Halladay notched 203 wins across 16 seasons en route to a Hall of Fame nod and two Cy Young awards. Lidle, meanwhile, was somewhere between the two, going 82-72 with a 4.57 ERA spanning nine seasons.
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) July 4, 2020
While there are plenty of differences among the three, tragically, their final life chapter was the same — passing away from a small plane crash. As the pilot, Brummett’s took place Friday morning in Utah; three others were on board.
RELATED | Former Phillies RHP Tyson Brummett dies at 35 in plane crash
Brummett had become a Certified Flight Instructor this past January and recently used his hobby to support healthcare workers on the front lines during the pandemic.
Through the nonprofit “Goggles for Docs,” created to help healthcare workers who are struggling to find traditional eye protection, Brummett volunteered to fly 270 donated ski and snowboard goggles from Utah to California. The goggles were then collected and delivered to nearby hospitals and medical facilities.
The pilot, 35 yr old Tyson Brummett, was a former pro baseball player turned flight instructor. He was on @KSL5TV recently because we were spotlighting the good work he was doing transporting goggles for doctors treating covid-19. A sad loss. pic.twitter.com/RJXuruxOE8
— Matt Rascon (@MattRasconNews) July 4, 2020
Brummett said he wanted to get involved with Goggles for Docs, along with his friend and fellow pilot Nick Henderson-Williams, because his sister is a Utah nurse and expressed the need for personal protective equipment. “It’s amazing the places aviation can take us and the impact we can have when we help others,” he said.
Since March, Goggles for Docs has donated more than 38,000 goggles for healthcare workers across the country.
RELATED | Phillies: Details of Roy Halladay plane crash revealed
Brummett, a UCLA alumnus, was selected by the Phillies in the 2007 draft; he pitched in the organization from that year until 2012. His last appearance in 2012 was his lone big-league outing, two-thirds of an inning in the October 3 road season finale against the Washington Nationals.
Absolutely devastated for the Bruin Family. I never knew Tyson personally but Coach Savage always spoke of him with the highest praise. An incredible Bruin who laid the foundation for what our program is today. Our hearts are heavy, we love you Tyson❤️ https://t.co/pLTXMEqwyK
— David Berg (@davidberg_26) July 4, 2020
Brummett was the last Phillies pitcher to appear in 2012, their first non-postseason finish since 2006.
The right-hander went on to play in the minors for the Toronto Blue Jays and Los Angeles Dodgers. After retiring, he stayed in baseball by serving as a pitching instructor for the youth Skullcandy Crushers travel team until February 2016.
Brummett passed away at just 35. Halladay was 40. Lidle was 34.