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 wife and I watch Cardinals games together, however I am the one that follows the minors and the draft. I was so excited when Oscar came up, and we both will never forget his home run in his second MLB at bat. We were so excited to watch his career and now fans are robbed of the opportunity and his family and teammates are robbed of a great young man. Our sympathies – we’ll just have to hold onto that one memory and think of what might have been. RIP Oscar…
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Being a fan of baseball is a lot like being a fan of life. There are ups and downs. Of course the ups and downs of life are the really important ones. I got to meet Oscar briefly twice when he played for the River Bandits. So I’d been following him for 4 years already. He was my favorite player to come through here, and probably the best one. He won the Midwest League batting title with a .386 average. His laid back attitude was sometimes interpreted as lazy, but he wasn’t. It was actually a breath of fresh air compared to how stoic or intense some players can be. He got some tightly wound players to relax. My condolences go out to his and his girlfriends’ family and friends.
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My prayers and condolences go out to Oscar’s, his girlfriend’s and his teammates families, which were his brothers as well. Definitely gone too soon….May God hold your families together during this very difficult time. Now you and Jack Buck can be commentators for the Cardinals in heaven and you can play in the “show” with all of the other great players that have gone before you in that field of heavenly dreams. Your girlfriend and others will be sitting in the seats watching you all. You will always be part of the Cardinal team and know that Cardinal fans and baseball fans in general will definitely feel the emptiness that you left behind. I pray that God will embrace your families and hold them tight during this. RIP.
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Prayers,and hugs to the family, friends, teammates,all of the STL Cardinals staff and Cardinal Nation. It it always hard when a bright light is extinguished way to soon. I hope and pray you will find peace someday, keep all the memories, cherish each and every one of them. May God pass along to you peace and comfort to help you through the days ahead. All of Cardinal Nation mourns with you.
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My thoughts and prayers go out to Taveras Family, I could not believe it when I saw the news. You were a great baseball player and were loved by many. This was a great loss to Cardinal Family, Friends and Fans. RIP Oscar Taveras.
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I never really got to see Oscar play, but through baseball social media I knew of his marvelous talent.
God Bless him and his family.
John Sharp, @freehan11
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Sweetest swing since Ken Griffey Jr. When I saw him debut, I knew that he was something special. Never met him, but seemed even more sweet as a person. My sincerest condolences.
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R.I.P. Oscar.
My heart goes out to the families of Oscar and his girlfriend. May they both rest in peace. What a great loss to the Cardinals’ family and fans
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What beautiful words. I’m proud to be a fan of this Cardinal Nation and family. We bring the Cardinal family into our living room and our hearts every time they play. So proud to have a manager like Mike. I’m so saddened by the loss of one of our family members, Oscar, and his girlfriend. Such a tragedy. Thinking of both families and prayers are lifted up!! Thank you for sharing your son with us!
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The sweetest swing I’ve ever seen. OT18
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So sorry for your loss. My thoughts & prayers go to his family & his girlfriend’s family for the loss of such a great player. We know him & his girlfriend are in heaven now where they’re not suffering anymore. He was the best! He will be missed!
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When i heard the news i didnt want to accept it. I just couldnt believe that such a young player full of amazing talent could be taken away just like that. At least i have the comfort of knowing that hes up in heaven hittin homers the Stan the Man. Miss you Oscar.
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My heart and deepest condolences out to the Teveras family. A great man who’s time was cut short on this earth. No doubt was on his way to a great career. He will be missed dearly.
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Thoughts and Prayers to the families!
A great player with great talent, taken too soon! Your love for the game and Cardinal Nation showed each time you stepped onto the field, it will be a sad day for all the fans come opening day and you will not be there smiling, looking at the crowd in amazement as if it was your very first time!!
You will be missed!! God, Bless the families with your Love as they mourn the loss of their family!!!
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You are and always will be missed Oscar. I will continue to pray for you and your family everyday through prayer and with our Blessed Mother, who I hope you have seen. God Bless you and your family. Always a Cardinal in our hearts.
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Watched you from a far with excitement in Memphis. Couldn’t wait to see you in St Louis where my husband and I watched you play your last home game before the play offs we will miss you my friend left you some flowers at auto zone park today prayers for your family and bless you’re girlfriends family also prayers
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From seeing him play Double A in Springfield to seeing him play in Busch Stadium of few months back, I will miss seeing Oscar play. He was a great young player with potential to do amazing things. Sending prayers to his family. You will be missed Oscar, rest in peace.
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I was not even a Cardinals fan, but I am very sorry for the loss of a great player. I pray that him and his girlfriends family will have the strength to get though this very difficult time. My prayers go out to all evolved. RIP Oscar ❤️
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It is crazy how emotional events will bring emotional music out of a person and vice versa. I never had the privilege of meeting Oscar Taveras in person but it’s crazy how watching these guys day in and day out you really feel like you get to know them and they almost feel like they become friends or family. This a short instrumental tribute I made for Oscar. RIP… You were special, kid.
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https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=636883539762431&id=455831694534284
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Never forget watching his HR in this year’s NLCS …..I’m a fan in Taiwan and always watch about his news when study tired……since he came to STL all focus on him and…that really sad and feel bad at this time. I’ll go to beach and drink beer to miss what you had done for all STL fans and how many dreams for us!!!Thank you Oscar and Requiescat in pace…….
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Such a terrible blow to Oscar’s family, friends, and fans. St. Louis – we grieve with you.
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I wasn’t a fan
Just hours after reading of the sudden and untimely death of cardinals top prospect Oscar Taveras, I sit and wonder why I’m so upset. I never really warmed up to idea he was the huge star he was claimed to be. I yelled and screamed every time he came to bat and didn’t perform. I waited for the chance to say I told you so to everyone that had high hopes for his future. I remember thinking maybe they were right, when his first big league hit was a home run. But as the season drug on, I continued to doubt he would ever amount to what was expected. When the Allen Craig trade became official, I was at a loss. Why would you trade away our right fielder to make way for a rookie?
And now when it’s all came to a close, I can finally see the bigger picture. Truth is, I never gave him a chance. I wasn’t ready to accept the fact that it was time for the future. Several times he showed flash of what could be a promising future, but I was always quick to write it off. He stayed because he was our future. And now we are left with questions that will never be answered. Would he pick up his play in the outfield? Would he finally catch up to the fastball? We will never know. We’re left with an empty feeling. Stats that show promise. His first and last hits in the bigs were homeruns. His last at bat at Busch stadium was a home run.
His smile and upbeat attitude will forever be in our hearts.
I wasn’t a fan because I wasn’t ready for change. Change has came and gone now. And I’m left to wonder why I wasn’t a fan.
RIP Oscar Taveras
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Truely an amazing player. He hit it big for the Cards and will be doing even greater things above. Once a cardinal always a cardinal.
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Gone too soon…May God be with Oscar’s family as they mourn the loss of their loved one and his fiancee. “Earth has no sorrow that heaven ccannot heal.”
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Truly shed tears on the news of Oscar’s passing. Shared tears with my wife, and my father. It’s always a tragedy when young people are taken from this world. I’ve followed Oscar for years, telling people ” Just wait until Oscar gets called up “. Yes he had all the talent in the world. What Mike said in his statement was perfectly worded. Cardinal Nation is most definitely a family. We love our players, our coaches, and our fans. As a fan living in Oklahoma, every time I pass a person wearing a Cardinal hat or shirt, we always share that Cardinal nod, or smile, like we always re all connected in always remember way. Oscar wasn’t around long, but he will stay forever. I can not imagine what his family is going through right now, but always, ALWAYS remember, Oscar will always be loved, always be talked about, his name will never be forgotten, and that says a lot about who he was.
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This is so incredibly hard to believe because he was so full of life. I think of him standing in the outfield smiling and looking around at the crowd as if he was in awe of the game that he was now part of it. Imagine who he’s talking to now! Prayers to their families and to our Cardinal family. Remember that he would not want you to be sad for very long.
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Keep hitting bombs up there for the big man O!
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My thoughts and prayers are with the families, team and all of Cardinal nation. A tragic loss of a young man with great talent. Heavenly Father please provide the families with the peace and comfort only you can grant, spread your grace and mercies over all affected and hold dear those who are welcomed into your heavenly gates. In Jesus name, Amen.
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Prayers for Oscar’s family and friends. I’m still in shock that he is really gone. Rest in peace Oscar. You will forever be missed!
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I’m a life long Cardinals fan from Montana/Nevada! With a heavy heart I am mourning the loss of O.T. Glad I got to see you play my friend!! You are loved and will be missed. #cardinalnation #foreveracardinal
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Such a tragic loss of a young life. My family was shocked at the news. We are die hard Cardinal fans in NC and love what Oscar meant to his baseball family and Cardinal fans. I hope his family knows what joy it brought to my 12 year old baseball player when he hit that first MLB home run. He had such pride and joy for Oscar and understood what that moment must have meant to him. Know that he touched people through the great game of baseball. Rest in peace.
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My deepest condolences to Oscar’s family. I’m glad I got a chance to watch him play at the Rogers Centre.
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When parents are forced to bury their children, the pain they must be going through is incomprehensible to anyone who hasn’t experienced the same loss. Our prayer is that they will hold on to the good memories of Oscar and that somehow his death won’t be in vain. I hope that the Cardinals will invest in some kind of memorial in Oscar’s home country. I would donate to it.
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Words can’t even describe how we all feel. I’m terribly sorry for ya’lls loss. You were an amazing player, and had so much to show us all. RIP Oscar. You were loved dearly by your family, team, and fans. #cardinalnation
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Our prayers for family, friends, teammates and Cardinal Nation. We will not forget Oscar.
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I remember the day you made your Major League debut. I hurried home from work like a little kid (at 27) to record and watch the game. After reading the stories, listening to analysts rave about your talent, checking minor league stats, watching YouTube videos, finally you were in the Show. Watching you hit that first home run was magic, just like your love for the game. Evident by the smile, the focus, the determination, you were living your dream which is so rare anymore. Thank you for sharing a bit of you with all of us and reminding us that baseball is a game. The best game there is. The player will be missed, the man will be loved. Rest In Heaven, Oscar. Say hi to Stan for us 🙂
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I keep thinking that this is not real, that one day you will just come back like it’s a sick joke. From watching you every 80 days that you were in St. Louis, I could tell your love of life. You genuinely loved playing baseball. You were fun to watch. It’s going to be weird to not see you next year. Your death has impacted all of us in Cardinal Nation and we miss you terribly. May you rest in peace. Have fun playing ball with Stan.
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People so seldom say “I Love You”
And then it’s either too late…or love goes
So when I tell you “I Love You”
It doesn’t mean I want you to go…
Only that I wish you didn’t have to…
Rest in Peace Friend
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My heart goes out to the families of Oscar and his girlfriend. May they both rest in peace. What a great loss to our Cardinals’ family and fans.
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Our hearts are heavy here in the Hollis house…..Cardinal fans for life……what a fine example of Cardinal talent snatched away in his prime and his precious girlfriend also…..we are so saddened by this tragedy…..may his memory remain with us always……..baseball in heaven…..God be with those left to mourn his absence…..
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RIP Oscar. May not be a Cards fan but I knew the incredible potential you were starting to show. You’ll be missed by the entire baseball community. From a diehard Cubs fan, rest easy.
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I had heard Oscar’s name mentioned countless times. Every time I thiught, “well I can’t wait till he comes up and we all get to see what he’s like and how much talent he has.”
I wish we could’ve expierenced watching you for many more years. 80 games as a Cardinal is 80 more games as a Cardinal than many baseball players. We were lucky to have you wear the birds on the bat.
RIP…you are in a better place.
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From baseball heaven on earth to baseball heaven in the stars. Rest in peace young man.
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RIP OT. We barely got to know you but rest assured YOU WONT BE FORGOT.Prayers going out to both families.
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I specifically streamed his 1st game in the big leagues, and remember seeing that 1st HR in his 2nd AB. In the NLCS, I said, “Oscar is going to do something special right now,” right as he was coming to the plate. When he swung, I literally jumped out of my chair in excitement, with that HUGE game-tying HR, and probably woke up some people. It really felt like one of those baseball moments. This kid just had so much clear ability, that you just knew he would be a superstar. Adding to what has been said earlier, this is just such a tough loss for everyone, and not just b/c of the on-field stuff. When someone of this age is gone, it really hits home…Its pretty amazing. I never met him. I just saw him play baseball. Still, it feels like this is a loss for me, and I’m sure others feel the same. Thats what sports can do. Its a family thing.
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😦 R.I.P Oscar Taveras 😦
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It was about 745 the evening of sunday October 26th 2014. Just a normal Sunday evening watching Sunday night football on my local nbc affiliate station this time with the whole family as we were cheering on the Green Bay packers when a bleacher report alert pops up on my phone. At first, I don’t believe my eyes. No way on earth was I believing at first that a young man such as taveras with so much talent potential and promise ahead of him would be sucked right out from all of us that we’re waiting for him to blossom. No way. But reality sure enough settled in when I read the alert for the 10th time in a matter of 30 seconds. Anytime even the average human being has their life taken regardless of the cause it is heartbreaking. It becomes so much worse when it is a young man just 22 years old. I have followed Oscar for the past couple years reading his developments and scouting reports just waiting for the day he bursts on to the big stage and shows why he was the most exciting prospect since Albert pujols. Such a talented player. Oscar you will be missed very much. Here’s to a World Series ring for me taveras. #WSforOscar lets get it trending folks.
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My prayers are going out to all who need them at this time………Oscar you are now up in Baseball Heaven with all the greats………you know who they are!! We will always keep in mine what a wonderful baseball player you were and what a fantastic baseball player you could have become for so many,many years !!! We love you and will miss you ……May God hold you in the palm of his forever….and may you and your girlfriend rest in peace always.
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RIP Oscar cardinal nation will never forget u . God Bless u and ur family gone so soon
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