A Marine killed in a plane crash Wednesday in Imperial County, California, has been identified as the son of former Los Angeles Dodgers great Steve Sachs.
Captain John Jay Sachs, 33, was one of five Marines killed when his Osprey tiltrotor plane crashed during a training exercise about 20 miles northeast of downtown Holtville.
“We mourn the loss of five Marines from the Purple Fox family,” the squadron’s commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel John C. Miller, reported in Los Angeles, reported ABC7.
“Our primary mission is now caring for the family members of our fallen Marines and we respectfully request privacy for their families as they navigate this difficult time.”
The Marines, based at Camp Pendleton, engaged in a live fire exercise in the remote unincorporated community of Glamis.
The cause of the accident remains under investigation.
The victim’s father played in the Major Leagues from 1981 to 1994, winning two world championships during his seven years with the Dodgers. Sachs earned the league’s Rookie of the Year Award in 1982 and the Silver Slugger Award in 1986
The Hall of Fame candidate also played with the Yankees from 1989–91, and later had brief stints with the Chicago White Sox and Oakland Athletics. Sachs was also a five-time All-Star player.
Sachs retired from baseball in 1994 and briefly took a swing at politics, starting a campaign for the California state legislature in 1996 as a Republican. She has also made cameo appearances on television from time to time, including The Simpsons, Sabrina the Teenage Witch and Hollywood Squares. He currently serves as an on air talent for SiriusXM Radio.
