A George Mason baseball player passes away unexpectedly following Tommy John surgery.
Sang Ho Baek, a pitcher at George Mason University, died unexpectedly on June 12 due to complications from Tommy John surgery, the university’s athletic department reported. He was twenty years old at the time.
Tommy John surgery is a relatively common procedure used to reconstruct the ulnar collateral ligament in pitchers. Baek recently completed his freshman season at George Mason, making seven appearances. On March 12, he made his collegiate debut against UMBC.
“Sang was an incredible teammate who was adored by all Mason baseball fans. He will be missed and cherished in our hearts forever “Bill Brown, the baseball coach at George Mason, stated in a statement. “At the moment, our thoughts and prayers are with Sang’s family during this unbearably trying time.”
One of his teammates, Scott Morgan, established a GoFundMe page that had raised more than $17,700 as of Saturday.
Baek spent a portion of his childhood in Salisbury, Maryland, but was born in Seoul. He graduated from James M. Bennett High School in 2020, where he assisted the school in winning the Maryland State Championship in 2019.
Baek was also active in the youth group and worship band of the Korean Presbyterian Church. He swam for three years on the YMCA team, played travel baseball for the Aces and Canes, and assisted in the construction of houses during a Nicaragua mission trip in 2018.
“Sang embodied everything that a student-athlete should be. He was an outstanding student, a devoted teammate, and a beloved friend to many “Brad Edwards, director of athletics at George Mason, stated. “We are committed to providing assistance and resources to Sang’s teammates and all Mason family members who adored him.”
Holloway Funeral Home in Salisbury has scheduled a funeral service for 4 p.m. on June 26.
