The Cardinals offer condolences to the family of Oscar Taveras, the 22-year-old Cardinals outfielder who was killed in an automobile accident in the Dominican Republic. All fans are invited to use this guestbook blog to share their condolences and memories of Oscar as well.
“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.”
“I simply can’t believe it,” said John Mozeliak, Sr. VP & GM of the Cardinals. “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.”
The team will provide additional information on funeral arrangements at a later time. Please share your condolences and memories in the comments below.
Remembering Oscar 
My deepest and sincere condolences go out to his family, friends and teammates. A sad time in baseball. Prayers to all.
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Praying God’s comfort and Peace to Oscar’s family and friends. Such a great loss of talent way to soon.
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Oscar Travaras in the short time that Cardinal Nation had you, it was a honor. It brings tears to my eyes just thinking about it, and seeing how everyone including players from other teams are sending out their condolences makes me proud to be part of Cardinal Nation. You will be greatly missed and will ALWAYS be a Cardinal… Fly high OT!!
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I am a huge cardinals fan. I have watched and followed Oscar for a few years now and even though I don’t know him or his family, I feel a part of me has died as well. His death has made me realize that life is so short and that this world is crazy. RIP Oscar #cardinalnation will miss you man
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Thoughts and prayers to Oscar’s family, friends, teammates and his fans. Also, sending thoughts and prayers to his girlfriends family and friends. Two very young lives lost way too soon, but I take comfort in the fact that God must have needed them so much more than we did here on earth. I am saddened to know we, as fans, will never see the full potential Oscar would have given the Cardinals. Play on, Oscar, play on!
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Heaven has a new outfielder. I know that his star will continue to shine up there. Words are so little at a time like this, but my thoughts and prayers are with the Tavares family and his girlfriend’s family. Take comfort that he was given the opportunity to fulfill his dream of playing in the major leagues but God had even bigger and better plans for both of them with him in heaven. Cardinal Nation unite again to show the world that we are stronger than this challenge.
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R.I.P. You will be missed. Now your playing with all the greats from baseball. Keep hitting them out of the park.
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Loved watching him play, he was so passionate and played the game the right way, beautiful swing. RIP Oscar you will be missed.
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I waited to see Oscar play for as long as I could remember, but I was almost out of patience for his grand entrance during the 2013 season.
I remember sitting in the 2nd terrace behind home plate during Carlos Martinez’s MLB debut as a starting pitcher against the Dodgers. I leaned over to my brother and said, “As excited as I am to witness this, I can’t even imagine what it’ll be like when Oscar gets here.” And he did not disappoint. May 31st, 2014, will always be engrained in my mind-watching him tear the sky open with a huge and powerful homerun in his MLB debut game.
I thought his season-ending injury in 2013 was devastating, but it doesn’t even compare to the heartbreak I felt learning of his death. My thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends, and loved ones, including his girlfriend’s family and friends as well. What a tragedy. RIP, 18.
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The passion and energy I’ve seen from Oscar in the dugout was second to none. It really showed how much he cared for the Cardinals and his genuine love for the game. I was so excited to see Oscar when he had the oppertunity to play. He may not if had the breakout rookie season everyone expected of him, but his time was coming. Oscar was going to do great things and pass many milestones in time. But time is something he didn’t have and we are left to wonder what could have been. This breaks my heart. This was supposed to be the first if many. What I’ll remember most about Oscar is that even through the fight of his adversities, he had the energy and lifted his team with every great play the Cardinals made. I’ll also miss that amazing swing. Wow. Rip Oscar Taveras and condolences to you and your girlfriends families. CardinalNation is a family and we are hurting too.
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This is a horrible accident that came out of nowhere. I bursted out in tears when I hear the news. He was an amazing athlete and probably a better person. He will always be in the heart of all cardinals fans. R.I.P Oscar Taveras
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So sorry for your loss to both families.
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You were an amazing talent and it sounds like, a pretty darn good guy. You will be so very missed. Can’t believe you’re gone. Rest in peace Oscar. Prayers for family and baseball family.
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As for me being 21 almost turning 22 in dec. This made me realize how quickly life could end. Last night, I had a talk with my 19 year old girlfriend, and we have almost a 1 year old daughter. I spoke to her and said, live each day to the fullest and live each day like its your last because sometimes, life stops within a second. My thoughts and my prayers and my heart go out to Oscar Taveras and his family and close close friends and his girlfriend and her family and also her close close friends. 2 young adults that havent even really started adulthood. Remember cardinal nation and baseball nation and the world, for one, always drive very very safely and two, watch what you say to your love ones because you may regret it once you can no longer speak to that loved one. Because he or she, is dead. As I conclude, Oscar, you were one and was on your way to being one heck of a ballplayer with young fans fallen more and more inlove with you as you were progressing. You started your career off with a homerun and ended your career on a homerun against the same team. You will be truely deeply missed Oscar. RIP mr.mvp. As for his girlfriend, I dont really have much to say other than you went out with the perfect guy. You will be truely missed as well. Now that you and Oscar are both gone. I hope you two are still together up there in heaven. RIP YOU BOTH and you always and forever be a cardinal. Thank you and god bless the Taveras family and his girlfriends family.
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My deepest condolences to Ocsar’s family, his friends, his baseball team. Such a loss. May your memories help ease your pain.
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to his family and all his friends:
he will be missed. such a charming young man ripped from us too soon. Also to his girlfriend’s family no words can express condolences adequately
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I am so incredibly sad. Please be in peace. I will never forget you.
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A wonderful man & talent taken far too soon…prayers for the family, friends and Cardinal family. Oscar will be our forever angel in the outfield. RIP #18
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You were a great player, but mostly importantly a great person. Say hi to Stan the man for me. Much respect.
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Now he plays on a field of dreams. To the Tavares family and that of his girlfriend only God and time will soften your pain. From my family to yours, condolences.
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This news just hurts our hearts. Prayers and love go out to the Taveras family and the StL Cards. Our hearts will remember you for the great joy you brought to the fans in such a short time. We were so excited to watch you grow. Often referring to you as the next Pujols. In fact, at game 2 in the NL playoff game, I turned to my husband and yelled, “Pujols who!??!” That stadium shook with cheers from that homerun. Such a bright talent taKen way too soon. You will never be forgotten and will forever be an angel in our outfield. Watch over the Cards, dear Oscar. RiP. 😟
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Thoughts and prayers to the families and team. Oscar was a blast to watch as a top prospect and his energy inspired many, including me; his energy will live on through those folks.
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The thing that impressed me the most was the way he reacted to all of the negative criticism after he had a rough start to his big league career. Each appearance he seemed to get better and better at each phase. He didn’t let the criticism make him bitter or jaded or cocky even. He took it to heart and made himself a better person and player. I have been in shock and really didn’t know what to say. But those are the memories I will always have of Oscar.
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I will miss watching and getting to know you as a Cardinal and as a person Oscar.
I am crushed that you and your girlfriend were taken from this earth, your family, and friends so soon, at the age of 22.
Thoughts and prayers are with your family, friends, and Cardinal Nation.
Next year won’t be as fun without you…
R.I.P OT18
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Oscar you were always exhilarating to watch play and perform. We have all heard so much praise and talks of the past few years through the organization, so EVERYTIME you’d come to bat or take the plate or a ball hit your direction, it made everyone focus and pay attention. This past season should have been your first of 20+. I’ll never forget your first Homerun and your last. Both are memories engraved in my mind. Gods speed to you sir and we all cannot wait to join you in heaven one day and see what kind of highlight reel you’ve accomplished. #RIPOscar
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Oh, Oscar. Such a star lost much too soon. Once a Cardinal, always a cardinal. You will always be in the hearts of your loyal fans, and be remembered forever. Say hello to Stan for us.
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RIP Oscar. God bless you and your family, including Cardinal Nation. You will be missed.
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A bright, shining star no longer in the night sky. Dear Oscar, we will never know what your future held, on or off the field. May you rest in peace and feel the love and admiration we all had for you. Prayers and thoughts to your family as well as those of your girlfriend. Cardinal Nation will never forget you!
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I hope Oscar’s family can get some joy from knowing how many smiles he brought to the Cardinal Nation and how much he was loved by the fans and his team! It’s sad to lose someone so young and obviously full of life. I told my husband every time we saw him playing how much I liked Oscar and I couldn’t wait to see him in the line up more often, how he always had a huge smile and seemed genuinely happy to be playing a game he loved with a team he loved. To Oscar and his girlfriends family you are all in my thoughts, I am very sorry for your loss!
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I really don’t know how to put it into words…
Just RIP Oscar.
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I loved watching you play as a die hard Cardinals fan Oscar. You were a remarkable player and you will be missed.❤
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I hope all Cubs fans will join me in expressing our deepest sympathy to the Taveras family and the St. Louis Cardinal family. May you rejoice in heaven Oscar.
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Sorry for the loss of Oscar. I’m sure this time for his family an the Cardinal family is a horrible time. . he was a great young prospect that was gone way too early. I would like to also send my condolences out to his girlfriend’s family that was also lost in this tragic car Accident.. praying for all..
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The whole St. Louis and baseball community mourn the lost of Oscar Taveras and his girlfriend. This tradegy is way beyond baseball and truly puts life in perspective. Never know when it will be your last day. Prayers to his family, friends, and the Cardinals organization. You will never be forgotten Oscar.- -TT
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Oscar was a truly one of a kind player, talented and energetic; but most importantly, he played the game with heart. Too many players have the raw ability that Oscar had, but too few have the soul of a kid…playing a kid’s game.
We as Cardinal Nation will always remember Oscar Tavares. After all, one game or 2,000, once you don those birds on bat…you’re a Cardinal for Life. We will miss you OT18!
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Such a sad day. I enjoyed watching Oscar play as a Redbird in Memphis and couldn’t wait to see him as a Cardinal! My prayers go out to the family, teammates and friends. RIP Oscar!
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Godspeed Oscar….we’ll take it from here….
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RIP Oscar. Our family’s prayers are w/your family during this time of bereavement.
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Prayers to both families..life taken too fast. Oscar will be missed! God is in control and He will give you peace!
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I still can’t believe he’s gone. It was only a couple of days ago he was a hero in the NLCS. My deepest condolences and prayers go out to Oscar and Edilia’s families. May you both RIP.
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It was a cool and damp Saturday afternoon in the Gateway City when The Phenom made his Major League Debut. For being only late May, Busch Stadium was abuzz with excitement. Considered the team’s best prospect since Albert Pujols, the sea of red stirred with anticipation; waiting, hoping—and even expecting—to see something magical.
With one out in the bottom of the 5th inning, The Phenom came to the plate and dug in as the crowd rose to their feet. On the second pitch of his second at-bat, he unleashed a large, loud, swooping swing, turning a breaking ball into a moonshot homerun in right field. And as pandemonium ensued, something happened: Just as The Phenom rounded the bases and pointed to the sky as he touched home plate beaming, the skies broke open and unleashed a sudden downpour.
And it all suddenly became clear. There on the grounds of Baseball Heaven, the Baseball Gods had just christened Oscar Taveras into our National Pastime. It was pure, old-fashioned baseball romance. Magical.
The solo shot would stand as the game-winning run in an eventual 2-0 victory over the San Francisco Giants. Taveras was not only the hero that day, but considered the star of the future. We couldn’t wait to see have many more magical moments he would provide in the weeks, months, and seasons to come.
And now, we never will.
There is no way to sugar coat this: what happened is just downright shocking, awful, and unfair. Like so many before them, Oscar and his girlfriend were two young souls that left this earth far too soon. And while these things unfortunately occur every single day, the death of a young athlete is always a particularly sad and sickening reminder of just how vulnerable and unpredictable life can be.
If there’s any silver lining, hopefully this reminds all of us to try and play the game of life with much passion and exuberance as a 22 year old kid playing the game of baseball.
It was a cool and damp Sunday night in the Gateway City when The Phenom stepped up to pinch-hit in Game 2 of the National League Championship Series, again against the Giants. For trailing 4-1 late in such a crucial game, Busch Stadium was abuzz with excitement. With one out in the bottom of the 7th inning, The Phenom dug in as the crowd rose to their feet. On the fourth pitch of what would be his second-to-last at-bat, he unleashed his large, loud, swooping swing, turning a breaking ball into laser-beam, game-tying homerun in right field.
And as The Phenom crossed home plate beaming, he again pointed up to the sky.
Today, Oscar, we’re all pointing up to you.
Thank you for the magic, #18. If only your career—and, more importantly, your life—had lasted as long as your swing and smile. Rest in peace, Oscar.
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Estoy muy triste y quiero enviar mis mas sincero pesame a la familia de Oscar.Que Dios le tenga en su santa gloria.Hasta siempre Oscar Taveras!
Que Dios bendiga a la familia de Oscar y a la familia de su novia!
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Another life taken too soon. You will be missed Oscar. Have fun in heaven man
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He will be missed deeply. GOD is building one hell of a team in heaven. Guess he needed a great outfielder so he called Oscar home!
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Words seem petty during this awful time. But they are one of the few things we can use to try to help us get through it. Many thoughts & prayers to the Taveras family & the family of Miss Arvelo. Cardinal Nation lost a family member way too soon. So much promise & talent leave us with too many questions wondering what could have been. Just doesn’t seem right. RIP, Oscar. May you enjoy your eternity on that great baseball diamond in the sky.
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On August 9th I drive from Worcester, MA to see the Cardinals take on the Orioles in Baltimore. It was my 21st birthday present. Got to the game two hours early just so I could get a close up look of my favorite ball club. I follow baseball so very closely and knew the type of talent that Oscar was bringing to the table. Was so excited that I was going to see him play in his rookie season and get to watch him grow and potentially become a superstar. I have a few videos of Oscar in his first at bat on that beautiful Saturday in Baltimore. I am deeply saddened by his death and send my condolences to Both families that lost a loved one this weekend. Rest in Peace Oscar. Next year will no doubt be in memory of you. It’s a shame you won’t be there to raise the trophy at the end. But make sure you have a front row seat with Stan the Man and keep practicing that sweet swing of yours!
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You are now in heaven playing ball with all the all time greats, My condolences to the Tavares family and his girlfriend family. Live strong Cardinal nation!! RIP Oscar!!
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Such a tragity, the loss of Oscar. Please feel the warmth and love from God, Cardinals nation and the whole MLB surround you during this time of grief.
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I remember him hitting that first homer like it was yesterday. I was so excited when he got called up, I called every Card fan I knew to make sure they were watching.. Such a sad day in MLB and Cardinal Nation!! My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends. He will be truly missed!! RIP Oscar Taveras #18
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You will be missed by cardinal nation and all of baseball. R.I.P. Oscar, you made Heavens all star team
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