Brad Mills opts out of 2020 season to return to family
The Indians bench coach will head home to stay with his family in Texas
Cleveland Indians bench coach Brad Mills has opted out of the 2020 season according to manager Terry Francona.
Tito said bench coach Brad Mills elected to go home to his family for the season. His family dealt with the loss of his grandson during Spring Training.
— Mandy Bell (@MandyBell02) July 5, 2020
“I know in my heart he made the right decision. If there’s ever a bittersweet moment, it was saying goodbye to him yesterday.”
Not only is Mills, 63, considered high-risk to have his life jeopardized by COVID-19, he is also months away from the tragic loss of a family member. Mills’ 18-month-old grandson drowned in a pool accident in February.
Francona knew it was “agonizing” for Mills to leave his family to join the Indians at camp, and he knows its agonizing to leave the team now. But it’s the right decision for him.
Mills and Francona have been a staple together dating back to their college days playing together at Arizona University through two stints as manager and bench coach together with the Boston Red Sox and Philadelphia Phillies. They are now entering their sixth year together in Cleveland.