Son of Dodgers baseball hero Steve Sax among U.S. Marines killed in California helicopter crash

Capt. John J. Sax, the son of former Los Angeles Dodgers second baseman  of Steve Sax was one of the crew members killed during a military aircraft crash on Wednesday.

Capt. John J. Sax was one of the five U.S. Marines killed aboard the Osprey Tiltrotor aircraft that crashed in a training mission in  Imperial County, California.

"It is with complete devastation that I announce that my precious son, Johnny was one of the five U.S. Marines that perished on Wednesday, June 8, in the Osprey Military crash near San Diego," the former Dodgers player told CBS Los Angeles, confirming his son was on board the aircraft.

"For those of you that knew Johnny, you saw his huge smile, bright light, his love for his family, the Marines, the joy of flying airplanes and defending our country! He was my hero and the best man I know, there was no better person to defend our country," he added.

Capt. John J. Sax, 33, wanted to be a pilot since he was a kid, according to his baseball hero father who remembers how his son used to talk about the different planes flying in the sky when playing Little League baseball.

"There was never any doubt from a young age that Johnny would be a pilot and his passion was to fly!" Sax said in the statement. "This loss will change my life forever and is a loss to not only the Marines but this world!"

The Dodgers also released a statement on social media on Saturday. 

“The Los Angeles Dodgers are saddened to hear about the passing of Steve Sax’s son, John, and the five Marines who lost their lives in this week’s tragic helicopter accident. Our thoughts and condolences go out to their families and friends.”

​​Early this week Capt. John J. Sax was identified by the Marine Corps as one of the five service members who died: Cpl. Nathan E. Carlson, 21, of Winnebago, Illinois; Capt. Nicholas P. Losapio, 31, of Rockingham, New Hampshire; Cpl. Seth D. Rasmuson, 21, of Johnson, Wyoming; and Lance Cpl. Evan A. Strickland, 19, of Valencia.

Both Losapio and Sax were pilots of the Marine Medium Tiltrotor (VMM) Squadron 364, Marine Aircraft Group (MAG) 39, 3rd Marine Aircraft MAW), and the other individuals were crew chiefs, according to a statement from the Marine Aircraft Wing Communication Strategy and Operations office and cited by Fox.