Shocked. Stunned. Overwhelmed. Heartbroken …
All words that only begin to describe the feelings permeating the baseball world following the news of Oscar Taveras’ death Sunday afternoon.
The Cardinals outfielder was killed in a car crash while visiting his home of Dominican Republic. His girlfriend, 18-year-old Edilia Arvelo, was also killed in the crash. Taveras was 22 years old and widely considered one of the top prospects in all of baseball.
“We are all stunned and deeply saddened by the tragic loss of one of the youngest members of the Cardinals family,” Cardinals Chairman Bill DeWitt Jr. said. “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.”…
… [Cardinals GM John Mozeliak] “I first met Oscar when he was 16 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.”
Taveras was driving a red 2014 Chevy Camaro in Puerto Plata when the accident took place. No other details are available at this time.
Of course there has been an immediate outpouring on Twitter regarding the young star’s passing. Here are a few from his Cardinals family.
ESPN Deportes reporter Dionisio Soldevila posted pictures of Taveras’ Camaro following the accident. You can view them here.
Signed out of the Dominican Republic at just 16-years-old, Taveras dominated minor league pitching, eventually winning the Texas League Player of the Year in 2012. He hit .325 with a .524 slugging percentage in Memphis before being called up to the Cardinals mid-way through the 2014 season and hit a home run in his Major League debut. He also hit a pinch-hit home run in Game 2 of the NLCS against the Giants this month.
Josh Helmuth is the editor of CraveOnline Sports.
Photo Credit: Getty
