Remembering Oscar Taveras

Tragedy struck the sporting world at approximately 7:30 p.m. Sunday, after a fatal car accident near Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic. St. Louis Cardinals outfielder, 22-year-old Oscar Taveras and his girlfriend, 18-year-old Edilia Arvelo, were pronounced dead after reportedly making their way from Jameo to his hometown of Sosua, Dominican Republic. Taveras, driving a 2014 Chevy Camaro without ID, was later identified by members of his family. His agent, Brian Mejia, confirmed the news of his death to local reporters.

After his MLB debut on May 31, Taveras played 80 games for the Redbirds over the course of the season and was named to the playoff roster. He made an impact off the bench this postseason, most notably hitting a timely, pinch-hit home run during game two of the NLCS to tie the game at three, which was eventually followed by Kolten Wong’s walk-off blast in the ninth to beat the San Francisco Giants 5-4. Taveras had been ranked among the top three best minor league prospects of this half century by both MLB.com and Baseball Prospectus and no doubt held the makings of a promising professional career.

As investigations and police reports continue in the Dominican Republic, Cardinal Nation and sports fans alike wish their condolences to the family and friends of Taveras. Oscar’s life and career were taken abruptly, but the years he spent with the Cardinals mean more than just baseball. From the young fans donning his jersey, to the sportscasters singing his name, Oscar was an emblem of hope for the Cardinals as well as the sport he played.

“To say this is a horrible loss of a life ended too soon would be an understatement,” manager Mike Matheny said in a statement released by the Cardinals. “We loved Oscar, and he loved us. That is what a team does, that is what a family does. You will be missed, Oscar.”

#RIPOscar