The professional baseball outfielder, who was regarded as one of the top prospects of the past several seasons, died at the age of 22 on Sunday, October 26.
- Oct 27, 2014
AceShowbiz - St. Louis Cardinals' outfielder Oscar Taveras, who was regarded as one of the top prospects of the past several seasons, died in a car crash on Sunday, October 26 in his native Dominican Republic. He was 22.
Oscar's agent, Bryan Mejia, told reporters that the baseball outfielder was killed along with his girlfriend Edilia Arvelo, 18. Col. Diego Pesqueira of the Metropolitan Transportation Agency told ESPN that Oscar was driving a 2014 Chevrolet Camaro on a highway in Puerto Plata prior to the crash. Diego said, "[Oscar] wasn't carrying document at the time of the accident, but his body was identified by family members."
Lieutenant Junior Lopez Reyes of the Puerto Plata police told USA Today that details of the crash were still unknown. "We're still investigating at the scene," he stated, "We've had some heavy rainfall here lately. It might have contributed to the accident.''
Cardinals' general manager John Mozeliak expressed his condolences to Oscar's family. "I simply can't believe it," John said in a statement, "I first met Oscar when he was sixteen years old and will forever remember him as a wonderful young man who was a gifted athlete with an infectious love for life who lived every day to the fullest."
Meanwhile, Cardinals' Chairman Bill DeWitt Jr. said, "We are all stunned and deeply saddened by the tragic loss of one of the youngest members of the Cardinals family. Oscar was an amazing talent with a bright future who was taken from us well before his time. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends tonight."
Several Cardinals players paid tribute to Oscar on Twitter. Cardinals' second baseman Kolten Wong wrote, "Wow! My heart truly hurts to hear the passing of Oscar! I've played with him every year and we truly lost a great person! #RIPOscarTaveras." Cardinals' pitcher Pat Neshek posted, "I'm just having a tough time with this, my thoughts are with his family & friends."
Oscar was ranked as the No. 3 overall prospect by Baseball America and MLB.com. According to New York Daily News, after making his major league debut on May 31, Oscar appeared in 80 games, batting .239 with three home runs and 22 RBI.
