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 
It’s so hard to wrap your head around this tragic loss. It was fantastic when Oscar had his pinch hit home run against the Giants in the playoffs just a couple of weeks ago. The look of joy on his face, on his teammates faces as he rounded the bases was happiness personified. I’m so happy that he was able to experience the love of his fans, Cardinal Nation, when he went out to tip his hat after that home run. Mike Matheny’s words today were beautiful, and he certainly understands exactly how we feel about our guys. My thoughts and prayers are with every single one of our Cardinals, along with Oscar’s family. We love you, and I pray that God wraps his healing arms around each of you as we all deal with this devastating loss.
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I was asked in March about what I was most excited to see when it came to the 2014 baseball season. My friends joke with me about how the cardinals are always making it to the post season. They wonder what could possibly make this team so exciting. But this year what I really wanted to see wasn’t the post season or watching the Cards play the Brewers here in my home state. It was watching Oscar Play for the Cardinals. It was his Minor League reputation. The beautiful swing of his bat. It was watching the top prospect that was my age get called up to the Cardinals. In one short year he lived up to his reputation. Watching him play made this baseball season more exciting then ever because I new I was watching a legend. My thoughts and prayers are with the families of both Oscar and Edilia, along with Oscars fellow teammates and friends.
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I remember my first time hearing about Oscar. Winter Warm-Up and I was inches away. I said hey and he just smiled. And then I saw him play this year and I was absolutely stunned by just the attention he made you give him. He was one fabulous player and an amazing human being. I will miss him, but he’s in a better place now. Maybe he’s up there hitting homers with Stan. Hit em good Oscar. RIP.
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My sympathies to the families and loved ones of both of the too-soon departed. Ryk; Perryville, MO, USA.
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I saw Oscar play when I went home for my high school reunion, I have been a Cardinals fan since I can remember. I truly enjoyed watching him play that day. You could tell he loved the game! It was great to know we had an upcoming star, one I knew would make it big and be an awesome asset for our team. I aim thankful for that game and our time with him.He will always be part off the Cardinal Nation. We are all paying for the families of both of these young people. May God grant you His Peace and mercy during these times. R.I.P. Oscar and your lovely lady.
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Condolences to the Taveras family during this extremely difficult time. As a fan this is tough for me to accept, so I can’t even begin to imagine with this must feel like to you. May his soul rest in peace.
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prayers to the families and all who knew him and his girlfriend personally. As a fan, I feel as though I’ve also lost a friend. My heart breaks. God be with all who mourn this terrible loss.
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My prayers go to the taveras family and the family of the girlfriend. You had a very bright future ahead of you and Cardinal fans across the country knew it. You’ve been talked about in this organization since you were 16. You had a smooth long swing and to see you go at a young age is devasting. You played for more than just a team. This is a giant family that stretches from coast to coast. You are a cardinal for life Oscar and most important you are apart of a place called “Baseball Heaven” RIP
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Oscar Taveras died at 22 on October, 26 2014 in a tragic car crash. I remember when i first heard about when he was first gonna get called and how excited i was to find out that the game we were going to celebrate us getting out of school. I remember seeing his big smile as the PA announcer announced his name for the first time.His smile got even bigger when he hit a home run for his first career hit as he hit the ball over the St. Louis Cardinals bullpen. I also remember when the ball was hit that the crowd went up as the ball went out. I remember saying to my dad that he is gonna end up being in the cardinals hall of fame someday. I remember watching his last at bat in the big leagues his perfect swing and watching the ball curl behind the right field foul pole. then watching him jog the bases with the biggest smile ive seen in a while. then as he crossed home plate watching him point to the sky and say a quick thank you. Oscar will be greatly missed not only by his friends and family, and Cardinal nation but the world will miss his kind acts of goodness on and off the field. my prayer got to his family and his best friend Juan Perez who dedicated his double in the win over the Royals Last night.
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I still am in Shock Of this news. He will be missed in Cardinal nation Oscar was a awsome Cardinals Player. RIP Oscar Traveras
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A young talent that will be missed. Condolences go out his family and his girlfriends family and also his baseball family
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Thankful I was able to see his sweet swing. Prayers for all touched by this tragedy.
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How in the world do you explain this tragedy. Way too young. He was such a colorful guy that seemed like he was fun loving for life. He will be missed, just like DK, JH are. God Bless Oscar.
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I am deeply saddened upon hearing this heartbreaking and tragic news. Oscar was such a talented athlete taken too young. My condolences and respect to the Taveras and Arvelo families, the Cardinals organization, and the Cardinals fans. Rest in peace Oscar and Edilia. – From a Giants fan
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RIP Oscar, you will be missed
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Honestly, I’m still pretty shocked by this whole thing. He was so young, and such a great ball player. I still don’t know exactly what to say, think, or feel.
I just want to let the families of both Oscar and Yamaly know that my family’s thoughts and prayers are with you. This was such a tragedy for both of your families, and I can’t even imagine what you must be feeling.
I also wanted to let you know that it was just so great to see Oscar get called up from Memphis this season. I remember thinking, “finally, he’s here!” It was really exciting.
We loved watching Oscar play. We talked about him a lot. How great his swing was, how much better he was getting over the course of the season, and how much we were looking forward to seeing him grow next season. We rooted for him every time he took the field. It was almost kind of like we knew him. Like he was part of our family. And in a lot of ways he was. Being a part of the Cardinals family made him one of our own.
Just know that he will always be remembered, loved, and missed by all of us.
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Such a bright star that burned out too soon.
You will be missed #CARDINALNATION #OT18
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My most sincere and heartfelt condolences to the family of Oscar and the STL Cards for the loss of an amazing and talented young man. He was so full of life and I enjoyed watching him develop his raw skills on the team with my young son, who wants to be like him one day for the same team. God has gained an extra angel who will forever look after the team he so loved for all eternity. Life cut too short and gone too soon. So much promise. You will be deeply and sadly missed, Oscar. Te quero mucho, mi hombre. Via con Dios!
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Oscar, you will always be young. You will always be a great talent. You will always be a St. Louis Cardinal. You will always be remembered for your great baseball. You will always be mourned for leaving us too soon. You will always be our hero. Respect and condolences to your family and friends.
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So sad. We’ll all miss him. Rest in peace, Oscar.
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So sad to hear about such a tragic loss. I will always remember your pinch hit homerun. Cardinal Nation lost a great talent, RIP.
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God bless Oscars family, and may God hold you Oscar in his loving arms RIP
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So saddened to have the life taken away from such a young talented baseball player who had yet to see what he could really do and also who had yet to live out so many other accomplishments as a man! Mike Matheny and the rest of his teammates must be devastated! We are cardinal nation, and we are FAMILY! We will miss this young man!! R.I.P Oscar
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One team, one heart, one lost player. Rest in peace Oscar and I will never forget the home run! Fly away my sweet Cardinal.
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As a father and life long Cardinal fan I am saddened by this tragedy. My heart goes out to each of their families and to alll us in Cardinal Nation.
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Oscar was an incredible talent with such a bright future. Cardinal Nation lost a great one but he will forever be remembered. Thoughts and prayers to his family.
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A sad day in Cardinals Nation!
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I’ve been a Cardinals fan since I was born (I was born to a Dad from STL, but grew up in Canada), and always felt too strong an attachment to a team. Other sports come and go, but baseball is always where my heart lies. The excitement about Oscar was amazing, and I remember when he hit his first big league home-run, everyone was so excited. We were looking forward to a long time with a great new star. However, beyond that, I’ve heard nothing but how polite and warm and friendly he was, and what a loss a young man (and his girlfriend) will be. I’m still in shock from seeing the announcement during Game 5, and offer my deepest condolences to his family and teammates. (and to the family of his girlfriend). RIP Oscar, you will be missed.
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I am so saddened by the news of Oscar’s death. We don’t understand why he died so young but it is all in God’s timing. I am so glad he was able to play baseball in the major leagues even if it was only for one year. I will never forget him.
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Thank you Oscar for giving us such great entertainment and smiles from your amazing talents. I will never forget going to my first playoff game as it was made more memorable with your game tying homer. I’m truly honored to have been there and couldn’t help thinking of you when I saw the beautiful STL sunrise this morning. You will be missed and never forgotten.
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My thoughts and prayers go to both Oscar and his girlfriend’s families, as well as the entire Redbird Nation. We will never get to see just how great he could have been, but after just a glimpse one can imagine he would have been one of the greatest. Rest in peace.
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My heart goes out to Oscar’s and Edilia’s family and friends, the Dominican people, Cardinals teammates, organization, fans, and the larger baseball family…thank you for your joy, Oscar, we’ll never forget you.
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Such a shame to lose not only a great baseball player, but a great human being. Through all of the sadness, it is comforting to know that he got to live his dream, even if it was not for nearly long enough. He hit a homerun in his first game and his last game. He had such a bright future as a player and person. It’s times like these, when the fans and team come together, that I am most proud to be a part of Cardinal Nation. RIP OT18.
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So sad to hear about;( Can’t believe this happened,and I’m still wondering if he’s actually dead or not!! He will be missed, remembered, and loved. RIP Oscar Taveras!! Prayers headed to his family!!
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I’ll never forget watching Oscar hit that game tying homerun against the Giants of Game 2 of the NLCS. As soon as he came up to bat, I told my dad, “This kid is going to be great”. I remember thinking that there was a new face of St. Louis. We will truly miss you Oscar. Prayers go out to you, your family, your girlfriend, and her family as well
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Seemed to be one hell of a ball player who’s talent and potential will be dearly missed in the game of baseball. Prayers and thoughts are with his family and teammates. Rest In Peace Oscar
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We have been Cardinal fans our whole lives….the Cardinal family is grieving over the loss of Oscar. We know our grief is nothing compared to the grief his real family is feeling, but the Cardinal nation will never forget him and he will be missed. The 2015 roster will not be the same without him.
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I am very sad to say that I was in the Dominican Republic for the first time when Oscar passed. Rest in peace and thank you for sharing your life with Cardinal fans.
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Oscar, once a Cardinal, always a Cardinal. You left the physical world too early, but maybe God had a plan for you to play on the team in Heaven. My thoughts and prayers for you, your girlfriend, your families, and your Cardinal family. You are loved by all of us. Rest in Peace.
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Thoughts and prayers to Oscar, his family, and the entire Cardinals organization. We’ll never forget the excitement and enthusiasm you brought to the ballpark each and every day. I was lucky enough to see you hit your last home run to tie game 2 of the NLCS just two weeks ago, that’s a moment I’ll never forget! RIP Oscar, Cardinal Nation will never forget!
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I’m absolutely devastated by the news of Oscar & his girlfriend. I was so excited back in May, like a kid on Christmas Day, when he made his major league debut he definitely did not disappoint that day! I will always remember that smile & swing of his! You could tell how much he loved the game & playing it! I’m keeping both families in my prayers during this difficult time. Please accept my sincere condolences. Cardinal Nation will miss him always!
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My two kids got to be at the debut game and see the first HR. I only attended one game with Oscar in the lineup, but watched quite a few on television. What an infectious smile that was always there, and such a great attitude toward the game. R.I.P. and prayers to the families, friends, and teammates.
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It’s like losing a family member or a close friend even though I had never met Oscar. You will never be forgotten. Thoughts and Prayers go out to Oscar’s family and his friends and his teammates and to everyone mourning him. Rest in peace.
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Such a talented young man. Was looking forward for him being a Cardinal for a long time. Baseball lost a rising star. Prayers for his family
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My condolences to Oscars family and his girlfriends family. My heart goes out to each of their families during such a heartbreaking time. My heart also goes out to the Stl. Cardinal baseball team for their loss.
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Very sorry to hear of this tragedy and HUGE loss to Cardinal Nation. We will never realize the star you were destined to become. My family watched you hit your home run in the NLCS and was extremely excited about your future with our team. We can now only imagine what that future would be. Rest in peace Oscar and prayers and peace to your family as well.
Sincerely,
The Koeb Family
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You will be missed. Prayers for Oscar & his girlfriend’s family
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I still am in shock of this news, Oscar was quickly becoming my favorite Cardinals player because of his talent and his characyer off the field, his pinch hit home run against the Giants is one ill never forget. He is my favorite Cardinal and will be missed
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Still cant believe taveras died he will be missed in cardinal nation such a tragic way for him to pass at just 22 years old forever loved and remembered
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Rest in peace Oscar!! We all love you so much! We wish we could have saw you play a bit more, but I know you are playing a far more better game in Heaven! #cardinalnation
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