Oscar Taveras Dies In Car Accident, Dodgers Players Share Thoughts
With the San Francisco Giants and Kansas City Royals playing pivotal Game 5 of the World Series, it was carried on with heavy hearts as it became known St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Oscar Taveras and his girlfriend tragically died in a car accident.
Widely considered a top prospect, Taveras was in his native Dominican Republican and passed away at just 22 years old. This season was Taveras’ sixth with the Cardinals and the outfielder’s second with their Triple-A affiliate.
Taveras made his MLB debut this season and in what wound up being his next to last at-bat, he hit a pinch-hit game-tying home run in the seventh inning of Game 2 of the National League Championship Series.
Taveras’ first experience at the big league level came May 31 when he started in right field and made a splash as his first career hit in the Majors was a home run.
MLB commissioner Bud Selig released a statement expressing his sadness in the outfielder’s sudden death and so too did the Cardinals. Several of Taveras’ teammates took to social media to share their condolences and so too did some Dodgers.
Deeply saddened to hear about Oscar Taveras. He was a great player and a lot of fun to watch. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family.
— Tim Federowicz (@FedX19) October 27, 2014
Too sad. RIP Oscar pic.twitter.com/IRHuhO4sx1
— Hanley Ramirez (@HanleyRamirez) October 27, 2014
First and last major league hits were homers…fun to watch him rake. Prayers go out to his family #RIPOscarTaveras #WearRed
— Joc Pederson (@yungjoc650) October 27, 2014
RIP Oscar taveras. Sad to hear. Thoughts and prayers go out to family and friends.
— paul maholm (@paul_maholm) October 27, 2014
Terrible reminder that life is precious & we're never guaranteed tmrw… My prayers & condolences r w the Taveras family #RIPOscar #2young
— Clint Robinson (@BatHoarder) October 27, 2014
So sad about the loss of Oscar Taveras, he was an incredible young talent & a great guy #Thoughts&Prayers #TooYoung #RIPOscar
— Justin Turner (@redturn2) October 27, 2014
Kid had a lot of talent……such a shame