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 
What a great young talent! We cardinals fans love our boys for the heart that show on the field but also for the amazing role models and great men they are in their daily lives. Oscar is no exception. He embodied all of these. Condolences to his family and friends. Fly high young man. You will be missed but you will always live on in the hearts of your fans and your extended Cardinal family.
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Prayers. And thoughts go to Oscar’s family. He was deffinately the face of future cardinal baseball. You have all my live and condolences.if you need anything at all don’t hesitate. Jim n
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So saddened by the loss of Oscar. Not because of his potential and the fact that he could have been a legend. But because he was 22 years old and lost his life before he even had a chance to live. His entire future was taken right out from under him. He truly is a reminder that life is precious and no one is immortal. Cardinal Nation will never forgot you, Oscar. You’ll be missed by all of us here in Baseball Heaven. I sure hope you’re enjoying God’s heaven now. Say hello to Stan for us. RIP
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Being apart of Cardinals Nation, we have an intimate bond with our baseball team. In a sense we feel the struggles. We feel the jubilation. We feel the battle of competition alongside you. We go through the joys and pains that you guys endure. Because of baseball we welcome you into our home on a nightly basis. We love you like members of our own family. But baseball aside, its all just a silly game. Theres more to our bond with our players than that. We feel as if we know you. And to hear such a tragedy is really heartbreaking. It puts a hole in our hearts. As much as you enjoyed the game. I enjoyed watching you compete. We did not just lose a great young baseball player with superstar potential. That stuff along with baseball right now is meaningless. We lost a great young man that always had a huge smile on his face that genuinely enjoyed life. Thank you for all the great memories. And may your memory live on forever.
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My heart goes out to the relatives and loved ones of Oscar and to all of the Cardinals and other baseball players who knew him. Although I did not know him personally, as a life-long fan of the Cardinals I will miss his infectious smile and miss the great moments that might have been. May God keep you in the palm of his hand.
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We remember that first home run. My husband and I was there at Busch Stadium. What a joy to see Oscar play in person for the first time. He truly will be missed.
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Saddened and shock at the passing of Oscar Taveras. My thought and prayers go out to his family, friends and Cardinal teammates. May you all find comfort and peace in God’s grace and in his loving son Jesus Christ.
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Gone way too soon. He will be missed.
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I saw both Oscar’s first and last home runs. I knew there would be more. He would work on the parts of his game to make himself better. That’s what the great ones do. Now those few memories have to be held in my heart forever, and today it’s broken. RIP Oscar I will miss your magestic swing and special smile!
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I am a Die Hard Yankee Fan but you are a true Talent that will be missed you played with a lot of my friends in the Cardinal Organization like Anthony Davis, Silfredo Garcia etc send lots of prayers to you and your girlfriend and the Family
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I will very mids oscar taveras he was my favorite mlb player he and my dad are very shocked rest in peace Oscar
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He gave his all and we watched in awe as this bright new coming baseball star could hit the ball so far! The world has lost an incredible person before he was able to become what everyone knew he was born to be…a legend, a superstar and a World Series Champ!! Let us not cry to long because he is where God needs him to be, just look up to the heavens on opening day and thank God for what he did here in his short life on earth and how he touched us all!! RIP.. He will be missed!!
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Still feels like a dream. My sister is the one who told me and I was like no you’re lying, there’s no way. But it was true and I we all wish it wasn’t. He was taken too soon, way too soon. Cardinal Nation hasn’t been this excited about a rookie since Albert Pujols..he had an incredible career ahead of him whether it was in a Cardinal uniform or another uniform. We only got to see a glimpse of him and his talent this year and that’s what made all of us fans so excited for next year. And we won’t get to see it…that’s what’s heartbreaking. So much talent and potential gone too soon. He was such a character on the field and in the dugout. He literally cracked me up everytime they put the camera on him whether he knew he was on tv or not. Always had that smile on his face. It still doesn’t feel real. Praying for his family and his girlfriends family as they grieve and suffer the pain way more than any of us fans are right now. I cannot begin to imagine their pain..And he had a son, who now Wil grow up without his parents..:( When you watch a team every year from April to October they become like your family even if you’ve never met all of them. And that’s what he was and all the other players and coaches are to us; family. But he’s with god now in his real home. Rest in paradise OT..glad I got to witness your last home run ever in person. You will never be forgotten.
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I remember seeing him play in Kansas City earlier this season. He had such a graceful approach at the plate, and I told myself that he was going to build a memorable legacy. Although he will never show us the potential he was destined to reach, his legacy will live on as a player who reminds us all today that life is precious, and that no matter what, the camaraderie on and off the field among a team and its true fans is a bond that can never be broken. Rest in peace Oscar, may you find the joys of baseball in the heavens above. I pray for your family and the St. Louis Cardinals organization to be strong and grieve, but move forward.
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We all love you and miss you Oscar. A future hall of famer is lost. You now play on God’s team up in heaven. RIP. We love you.
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I just can’t stop crying about this. I watched him come all the way up through the leagues. Was so excited to see him play next season…when my Dad called to tell me this morning, I was in shock. So tragic and heartbreaking. Such a huge loss for baseball but even larger for his team and family and the family of his girlfriend. Prayers for ease of pain over the next few days…and peace.
RIP Taveras. I can see you playing ball with the Angels.
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RIP Oscar Cardinals nation and all of baseball is going to miss you everyone is going to miss seeing you out in the outfield making big plays!
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May he rest in peace. His time here was short, but well lived. He will forever be a Cardinal!
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My thoughts & prayers go out to both families, players & Cardinal administration/staff. Gone but never forgotten #18 Strong! May God rest their souls.
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My condolences Taveras’ Family, RIP Oscar your country is so sad with that horrible news, we gonna miss you, we’re so proud of you. 😦 “He’ll wipe every tear from their eyes. There’ll be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” Revelation 21:4
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Before the start of every season I like to speculate what the everyday roster for the St. Louis Cardinals should look like throughout the season. Needless to say, Oscar was on my roster even before he was called up from Memphis. He didn’t put up the numbers like everyone expected him to do, but I think most would agree that he was a young player who had much to learn; moreover, I think he was a player who wanted to learn. He had the potential to be one of the best players in baseball, if not the best, and we’ll never be able to see him reach that potential. My condolences to his family, friends, and the baseball community affected by his loss.
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It’s still hard to believe that Oscar Taveras is no longer with us. There were so many things I enjoyed about watching Oscar play. First and foremost, his love for the game. He was like a kid in the candy shop. It was a sight for sore eyes because it broke the monotonous, business-like approach the team had before his arrival. He had passion, he had style, and he had a world-class smile. It’s strange that I am having such a hard time mourning the loss of someone I never even met. But I felt like I knew him for years. He was a source of positive energy just when the Cardinals (and I as a fan) needed it.
I used to live in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, where Oscar Taveras was born and raised. He was signed at the ripe young age of 16 years old. There was a lot of pressure on him to realize all of that potential and secure a better way of life for his entire family. And he was finally coming into his own. He made it.
When he first exploded onto the scene back in May, my dad asked me what I thought of him. I said that he is green, he has a lot of maturing yet to do, both mentally and physically. But he seems like a good person and he wants to be great. And I think he will be.
Dios le bendiga Oscar Taveras.
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RIP Oscar. Cardinal Nation sheds a tear as we remember a true “Angel in the Outfield”.
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RIP Oscar. It was a pleasure watching your dreams come true. Have fun up there in heaven playing RF on God’s team! What an amazing individual! RIP Oscar Taveras you will truly be missed!
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My deepest condolences to both families in this horrible event. My thoughts and prayers are with all including Cardinal Nation. Oscar is now free to fly high with the angels. He can now go where no home run could ever reach. RIP
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Cardinal fans will never know how great of a player Oscar could have been! It was GREAT to see his fire and smile when he hit the big NLCS homer!! Cardinal Nation will be praying for your family, Oscar and the family of your girlfriend!!! RIP, OT!!!
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Our family’s thoughts and prayer go out to the family of Oscar Taveras and his passenger..2 lives taken to soon..we have been Cardinal fans for years and had the honor if seeing him play as a Peoria Chief he was a outstanding young man on and off the field..thanks to Oscars family for sharing their son with us…Cardinal Nation is loving you his family & teammates during this time and mourning with you..
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My condolences to the Taveras family. I am a big Cardinals fan and his loss is a big one. We will miss him a lot. Go Cardinals and R.I.P Oscar.
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My family is saddened by the loss of Oscar Taveras. Sending prayers and thoughts to to the families and to the Cardinal’s organization. We are proud to be a part of Cardinal Nation and proud that OT#18 was too. Thanks Oscar. Have fun playing ball with the greats.
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RIP Oscar, you left us way before your time. You will always be loved by Cardinal Nation and we will never forget you. I’m sure you’re hitting home runs in heaven with The Man. My thoughts and prayers are with your family and your girlfriends family. Rest in Peace #18! We’re sure going to miss you and that smile!
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May the Lord who has redeemed all of those whom he has bought with his precious blood keep you in the sure and certain knowledge of the resurrection of all flesh! May God’s comfort be with you at this time and know our prayers are with you. Oscar Taveras, Requiescat in Pace
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Such a terrible tragedy to a talented young man. My thoughts and prayers go out to the families and friends of Oscar and his girlfriend. I was at the rainy game vs SF when he hit his first career home run. He had already been a fan favorite to all of cardinal nation. RIP OT18
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You were so much fun to watch play baseball! Thank you for all of the memories. We never understand why tragedy’s happen, and this side of heaven we won’t. I am praying for all of your family and friends, and your girlfriends family as well. Praying for God’s love to surround them in this very difficult time.
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The tragic death of Oscar Taveras reminded me that baseball, although it’s a sport I love, is just a game. There are far more important things in this life in the grand scheme of things. With Oscar, we not only saw a glimpse of what kind of player he would be but we only got to briefly see the man he was becoming off the field too. Although his stay was short, that glimpse will forever be remembered by his teammates, the entire organization and the fans for as long as time will let us. Baseball is a special place in St. Louis and I’m happy I can say that I’m a Cardinal’s fan. RIP #OscarTaveras, Cardinal Nation loves you.
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Our family’s thoughts and prayer go out to the family of Oscar Taveras and his passenger..2 lives taken to soon..we have been Cardinal fans for years and had the honor if seeing him play as a Peoria Chief he was a outstanding young man on and off the field..thanks to Oscars family for sharing their son with us..
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A new member of the Cardinals family is gone too soon. My family’s hearts and prayers go out to Oscar Taveras’s family, friends, and teammates. We are so sorry to hear of this tragic loss. Cardinal Nation mourns.
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Being at game 2 of the NLCS was one of the best experiences of my life, largely because of Oscar Taveras. The energy he brought and the atmosphere he created was amazing. Everyone always talked about how big he was going to be, and now he’ll never get the chance. Makes you realize how short life is, and seize the day. You will he missed.
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So sorry for your loss…my heart goes to the team members and family who lost a special young man!
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I’m a pirates fan and I cried when the news broke, I feel like a child of mine died, and he had his entire life and such untapped potential, it truly is a great tragedy. I’ll be praying for oscar, his girlfriend and their families. RIP Oscar, Heaven’s team got a whole lot better with you
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To the families of Oscar Taveras and Edilia Arvelo, my deepest sympathy for your losses. I did not know either personally but I am a fan of the St. Louis Cardinals and watched Oscar play and he was amazing and had a bright future ahead of him. My prayers to both families and they will always be here as long as you keep them in your heart.
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Oscar.. Everyone is going to miss you, buddy. You were truly an amazingly gifted talent. But, more than that.. You were a great man. I’m so sickened that your life ended at such a young age. We will all miss that swing.. and that smile. Just know that you’ve touched and inspired millions of people. All of Cardinal Nation watched you burst onto stage..and into our hearts. We all just knew you were going to be a star. I know you’re in Heaven now with your beautiful girlfriend. May God bless both of your souls and look over both of your friends and family. My family and I have and will say many prayers for you and your loved ones. We will always remember you Oscar. You will never be forgotten. We all love and miss you, buddy!
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Prayers and condolences going out to the families and work families of Oscar Taveras and Edilia Arvelo.
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It was really hard for me to believe the news when I heard it because When I saw you play on TV or in person you almost looked invincible to me. You had a bright future ahead of you. Cardinal Nation is going to miss you, Oscar.
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Oscar you will be truly misse. To have such a trajedy on the emergence ofquite possibly a hall of fame career is truly heartbreaking. Thank you for bringing so much excitement to the game and to our Cardinal Nation. I will forever remeber the debut and final homeruns. Your swing will be an absence all of baseball will thoroughly miss. Thank you for everything. Rest in peace, Mr. Taveras.
My deepest condolences to the immediate family, and to the entire extended family of Cardinal Nation. You will be truly missed, Oscar.
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Rest in peace to a rising star. He will be missed not only now but when the Cardinals take the field for years to come. He has been taken from us a Cardinal nation family and we will forever remember his bright smile and apparent love for the game. With love, rest in peace Oscar Taveras.
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Sorry for your loss.
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My condolences to Oscars family baseball and blood. I myself being a cardinal fan feel as tho I lost a member of my family. R.I.P Oscar you will be missed!
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Such a talent, a talent that never really got a chance to be exposed in the bigs. His smile could turn a day around. He will be missed. Praying for his and his girlfriends family. You will never be forgotten, Goodbye Oscar, RIP.
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A los Taveras, que descanse en paz su hijo y que ustedes tengan el socorro de Dios que se les merece. Nosotros de Cardinal Nation no podemos entender su dolor por completo, pero compartimos su llanto. Rezaré por el alma de Oscar.
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Wearing red today to honor the memory of Oscar taveras. RIP Oscar you will be missed
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