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 
I remember when he made his debut, and how pumped I was when I saw his name on the lineup card. I jumped up like a little kid and started cheering when, in his second at-bat, he hit a towering homer. Next thing I remember is the rain suddenly coming down, and it was a very fitting scene. I saw his game tying homer in the NLCS with my 5 year old son, and we both cheered and jumped up and down like fools, high fived when the ball cleared the wall. Thanks for the great father/son memory you provided us with Oscar! It’s times like those that I’m truly grateful for the Cardinals! I’ll never forget it! Rest in peace Oscar. You’ll forever be not only in my heart, but in the hearts of the entire Cardinals nation.
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My best to all of his family and close friends. I know this is a tragedy, but God is in charge and His plans are never wrong, but often not understandable by mere mortals. He is at peace in a better place.
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Condolences for all Taveras family and teammates ,and Donican Republic fans. A very sad day.GOD BLES OSCAR.
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such a tragedy 😦
i have been following his baseball career ever since 2010. it is so heartbreaking that such a promising talent has now been cut off too soon.
thank you oscar for every game and every hit that made me smile whenever i checked the minor league boxscores and/or cards prospects sites that would mention you. there were so many ever since 2010.
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Years. I thought I’d have years and years to enjoy the always smiling, extremely talented newest member of our Cardinal family. I am heart broken.
Twitter almost blew up with Card fans spreading the news last May when rumors started flying that Oscar was called up. I remember the excitement of his first game at Busch and that magical swing. A homerun that made Busch Stadium shake. A well deserved curtain call.
Then his pinch hit homer in the NLCS to keep our season alive. Another curtain call. That huge smile. That amazing last catch he made to show us all that he was no defensive slouch. I want to see many more. More.
He wasn’t given enough time. I’m sad. I’m angry. Why was this young sweet kid taken from his loving proud family, his friends, his fellow Cardinals, his native and adopted countries. His Cardinal family and that includes us, his millions of fans, are just heart broken. I’m nostalgic for what little we saw and all that will never be. God be with you, OT, and your beautiful girlfriend. May both your grieving families find comfort in the love from all of Cardinal Nation. I grieve for all the games, all the years we won’t have you. You will remain, always a Cardinal.
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I was looking forward to a grand career for this young man. Not many things in history have saddened me more than his passing. It was truly a wonderful feeling to watch him perform in this short season of major league baseball. My prayers are for Oscar and his family and friends. Cardinals Will Overcome This Curve ball also.
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Such a tragedy for all. A gifted talent gone far too soon. Perhaps they needed an outfielder for the Field of Dreams. Prayers for Oscar’s family and teammates.
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As a Cardinal Fan and Baseball fan I mourn the passing of Oscar Tavares. As a human being I mourn the passing of a son and a daughter at such a young age. My prayers go out to the families. May God bless you and keep you in this time of tragedy.
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As a life long Cardinal fan the players become like your own family and to see this happen to Oscar is a tremendous tragedy. He was so much fun to watch and my wife and I were so excited to see him play this year several times and for years to come. Our condolences and prayers go out to Oscar’s family and the Cardinal organization and the players. He will be truly missed a very sad day for not only the family and Cardinals but to Major League Baseball.
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What a tragedy. I send my condolences to all St. Louis fans and Oscar’s family and friends. It is heartbreaking to lose a son, brother, cousin, friend, and one who was surely a raising star on major league baseball’s horizon.
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My heart is breaking for our Cardinals right now, He was only around a short time but us in St. Louis knew about him for years as he was talked about even before he came up. My thoughts are with his family, friends and everyone else who is feeling his loss right now.
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I remember going to his first MLB game and right after he hit the homerun in his 2nd at bat, the fans wet crazy and the rain started falling and the game went to a delay but none of that mattered. The Oscar Taveras that we had heard so much about was finally in the big leagues. The future was so bright for him, such a young, talented player. RIP OT18
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Definitely send thoughts and prayers to the families of Oscar and his girlfriend — while we are saddened, it pales in comparison to what they are going through. My memories of Oscar are from this past May when I saw the Memphis Redbirds play in Colorado against the AAA team. We were sitting right behind the Redbirds dugout, and at that time, both Wong and Tavares were playing — I remember seeing them standing in front of the dugout, and thinking this is the future stars for the Cardinals. So sad…
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RIP Oscar Taveras and his girlfriend. He was an amazing young athlete that showed such promise. My 7 year old son was looking forward to watching him in future seasons. Today he wore a Cardinals shirt to school to honor Oscar. Thoughts and prayers and peace to both families. 🙏
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I remember being excited when I heard that Oscar had finally been called up to the Cardinals. I remember being excited to finally get to see him take the field. I remember cheering at the top of my lungs when I saw him hit his first big league homerun. Now I will remember being in a state of shock when I heard of his tragic passing. This is a very sad time for Cardinal Nation and all of MLB. My thoughts and prayers to Oscar’s family as well as his girlfriend’s family. RIP.
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Met Oscar Tavares at Winter Warmup in January. He was very gracious and friendly. Couldn’t wait to see him play. Was there for his first homerun and I was there for his last in NLCS. Words can’t describe the shock and sadness I am feeling. Was so looking forward to great things to come from him. Loved his swing and his smile. We will never know how great he could have been. Prayers for his family and his girlfriend’s family.
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Oscar was on his way to being an elite talent, and future of the Cardinals franchise. He was a great player on and off the field. This world stinks. Just Awful. First Hit, HR vs. the Giants. Last Hit, HR vs. the Giants. #rememberOscar
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Die hard Cardinal fan. So much so I got the bird on the bat tattooed on my arm. Forever linking me mentally and physically to this team. I’ve been following Oscar’s rise to majors with due diligence reading everything about how special this kid was. And that was evident in the half of a season and 7 at bats in the playoffs. This kid was going to be for real. I will tell my kids I got to see Albert Pujols do things that no one else has done and i for sure was going to one day say the same about Oscar. Taken way too young and I am heartbroken. I feel like a piece of me has died. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends and that of his girlfriend’s. I know Cardinal Nation will get through this and that he will be with us for every game next year. Lets win it for Oscar. I love the Cardinals and I will forever have a place in my heart for Oscar Francisco Taveras. R.I.P. Forever young forever a Red bird.
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As a Cardinals fan, I am so sad. As a human, this is a tragedy. Love and prayers to Oscar’s family and also to his girlfriend’s family.
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I so enjoyed seeing you play this season and watching you grow as a player before our eyes. May you rest in peace and your family find comfort in knowing you were loved in Cardinal Nation.
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Our family’s heart and prayers go out to both OT and his girlfriend, Edilia. Let us remember, it’s ever good-bye, it’s “I’ll see you later.” RIP OT18
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Oscar, we barely knew you, but we will remember that sweet swing. Rest in peace young man. You will be remembered always with the birds on the bat. Taken too soon!
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Thinking of your families during this difficult time….a young life with so much promise cut so short…rest in peace Oscar thanks for the awesome home run in Game 2 NCLS..you were there for your team !
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My condolences to Oscar’s family, his girlfriend, and the Cardinals organization. As a life-long baseball fan, I am deeply saddened by his sudden passing.
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Our family’s condolences and prayers go out to the Taveras and Arvelo families. Such a tragic loss. Thanks for the memories, few as they might be. RIP OT18.
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Oscar provided me with one of my greatest baseball memories when he hit that home run in Game 2 of the NLCS, the first playoff game I ever attended. What a great talent and even better person. Prayers go out to the Tavares family and the family of the young lady who also passed. That’s quite a Cardinal team they’ve got up there in heaven. RIP OT18
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Game 2 NLCS. BIG sweeping swing by OT. Gone! Very exciting, thanks for the memories. Gone too soon, rest in peace.
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My thoughts and prayers go out to the families of both Oscar and that of his girlfriend!! I truly enjoyed watching this young man play the game he loved! May God Bless his teammates as they slowly start to heal as well from this tragedy!!
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So sad, a potentially huge talent…a future middle-of-the lineup machine….an enthusiastic slugger that loved the game of baseball….obviously this would be a sad story no matter who the person was that passed away so young, but Cardinal Nation absorbs this giant loss to the future of the organization as well…RIP Oscar Taveras and his girlfriend…thoughts to their families during this time of sorrow….I believe a Taveras OT18 honorary patch should be worn next season
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Prayers go out to the family and friends of Oscar Taveras. As a lifelong Cardinals fan and lifelong baseball fan today is a very sad day. Oscar was tremendously talented, and he had a very infectious smile and personality. His personality shot through my television screen as I would watch him play the game he loved. His pinch hit HR against the Giants was just a glimpse of how great of a ball player he was on his way of being at the Major League level. He will be missed greatly but always remembered here in Cardinals Nation.
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We are still in shock and disbelief! We live in the Chicago area, but have been Cardinal fans our entire lives. Thanks to MLB Extra Innings, we are able to see every Cardinal’s game. We were so thrilled to see Oscar’s first ML hit…..a home run!!! Our hearts and prayers go out to Oscar and Edilia’s families. Please know the entire Cardinals Nation is praying for healing in this difficult time.
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My condolences to the families of Oscar Taveras and Edilia Arvelo. It was a terrible tragedy, and I have been stunned by the loss of such a great talent. As a Cardinals fan, it reminds me of how I felt when the Cardinals suddenly lost Darryl Kile and Josh Hancock. My thoughts and prayers will be for their families.
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no matter he is a good player or not, no one should die so young…RIP
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At the age of 18, Oscar took over the Appalachian League. He and the Johnson City Cardinals ripped through the league en route to a title. I was broadcasting for Burlington that season, and he dominated in those games. A go-ahead, opposite-field grand slam in one game. A two-run single to jump-start a 10-run inning in a playoff game. He was incredible to watch.
The best part about him, though, was his love of the game. I never interacted with Oscar personally, but he smiled much more than most while on the field, even in that less-than-glamorous league. My heartfelt condolences to his family and his girlfriend’s family.
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I was at your first major league game. All of Cardinal Nation was excited to see how great you would be. But after the excitement we saw your smile and the fun you had playing the game. I saw your first homerun at the game. Not only was it a game winner but we felt like it was a sign of greatness to come. You and your girlfriend are gone too soon. But not only do your family survive you but Cardinal nation does. We will always remember you.
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Got to see him once in person this year.
at 22, he was well on his way to being a star. Praying for the families of the deceased.
his first bomb this year, and his tater in the playoffs will forever live in the halls of what if.
RIP young soul
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I can’t believe you’re truly gone, Oscar. Cardinals Nation & the world lost a great young man. That smile was infectious and I can’t wait to see it again one day. Rest in Peace, friend. OT18
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What a joy to watch him. . RIP WAY TO EARLY BUT WE WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER HIM
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A wonderful talent. A sad, sad, sad day in STL….I just knew he’d be ready to take the league by storm next season….No Man knows the day or the hour…..I have comfort in knowing that he was able to do what he loved on the major league stage when he played in the NLCS……God Bless and RIP OT!
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I was at the game he hit his first homerun. It was one of those games that I will always remember, his first at bat was a hard hard hard drive. Caught everyone stood up, I remained sitting, I have always been pretty good about knowing when it was going out. But the second at bat, the homer, I was standing and screaming before the ball even had a chance to leave the infield. I had followed Oscar in the minors and despite some of his struggles he was still one of my favorites. I was looking forward to seeing him everyday next year on the field. He is a player I have seen play a lot. And a player I will always remember. The Cardinals are much more than an organization to us in St. Louis, it is a family, and we lost one of our youngest family members today. Rest in Peace Oscar, you’re finally truly in Baseball Heaven.
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The death of Oscar Taveras is truly sickening and shocking. We lost a player who had the tools to turn into an an elite player in baseball. The raw power he had was truly amazing. We often ask who would take over as the face of the MLB with Derek Jeter gone and Oscar Taveras could have been that guy. The death of Oscar makes you realize that athletes are not superhuman and that we should live our life to the fullest everyday like it is our last. I am truly shocked that baseball has lost a stud player and all around good person
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I felt sick when I heard this. A great young life taken too soon. Oscar, it was a pleasure to watch you play. RIP.
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This is unbelievable. Hope the Cardinals dedicate the 2015 season to Oscar. Prayers to his family and to his Cardinal family.
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The sweet swing of his first home run with the rain falling at the end of May… RIP Oscar
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Rest in peace, Oscar. Prayers and thoughts are with the Tavares family.
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As a huge Cardinal fan, I had high expectations when it came to Oscar. So much had been said about his abilities and his potential for the future. When we lose someone so young, we feel deprived of so many great moments yet to come. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Oscars family during this difficult time. To the Cardinal teammates, rember life is short and the game of baseball is a very special PRIVILEDGE that most kids dream about but only a select few get to enjoy. Oscar was one of those lucky kids who actually got to experience that dream come true on on of the best teams in the league. He had the opportunity to shine on one of the biggest stages the game had to offer. We were all deprived of being able to watch him become grow into manhood on and off the field. I hope this experience will give the team the incentive to turn tragedy into triumph on the field in 2015.
Lastly, we must remember, there were two tragedies and Oscar’s girlfriend lost her life. Her family is in pain and should not be forgotten as we pray for everyone going through the emotional stress at this time.
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My prayers go to both families and the Cardinals for their loss.
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My wife and I saw his first home run at Busch, we yelled so loud we were sick. Today we’re sick for the passing of a wonderful talent. RIP OT18
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His abilities and potential captivated a fan base. Unfortunately, he has been taken before that can be realized. But let’s remember Oscar for the things he did accomplish in his short Career. He provided a big HR in game 2 of the NLCS. He was know for his Vladesqe abilities. May He Rest In Peace. OT18, We love you!!! Condolences to his family and his girlfriends family on such a tragic loss at such a young age.
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