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 
Gone too soon forever a Cardinal You will be missed Prayers for strength at this difficult time for your friends and family May their memories of you carry them at this time and in the future You will live on in our hearts
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Just like myself, I know that all Cardinals fans were blessed and thankful when Oscar finally got called up to the big leagues. And what did he do ? He showed us he wanted to be here, and stick around with his second at bat. Losing the NLCS wasnt a big deal, but to lose Oscar, thats a big lost. Its just not a lost to his family, nor is it just a lose to the team. Losing him is a big lose to baseball in a whole. May God be with his family, and also with his girl friend famliy as well. The way I see it, I guess God needed a outfielder to play ball in heaven. I believe heaven just added a future hall of famer on its team. I prayed to God and I ask him to he take well care of Oscar because he was a Cardinal.
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You could tell Oscar was going to be a legend. I remeber seeing him hit his first big league home run, in the pouring rain, and watching the SLOW mo replay. It looked like something out of a movie, unreal, the kid was special and you could just feel it was going to be a highlight youd see years and years from now as a flashback to the beginning of something amazing. Well I was right. Oscar Taveras is now a cardinal legend, and will be loved forever, not the story we all hoped to see, but we will still idolize him just the same. P.I.P. , Play in Paradise buddy. Oscar Taveras ,angel in the outfield.
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RIP Oscar you will be sorely missed. My prayers go out to your family.
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R I P Oscar will miss your presence on the field my condolences to your family.
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i will never forget his last home run and me telling my father he is going to be the next person to be the home run king ! He will miss you forever !
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I couldn’t wait to see Oscar come to the plate. His swing was so cool. There was an excitement to watching him. He will be impossible to replace. RIP O.T.
Darryl Kile, Josh Hancock, and Oscar Taveras are in the cornfield in Iowa.
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Being myself from Montreal , I remember Oscar spending four years as a teenager living in Montreal , with his father Francisco , and playing for the Montreal Marquis Triple-A minor league team before moving back to the Dominican Republic .
He was already a star at that time … and now an actual star …
way over the rainbow !
Rest in Peace #18
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Rest In Peace Oscar. You weren’t a giant but you did hit your first home run against us…sad to lose such a talented young player….condolences to your family and your girlfriends as well…no one young should ever be taken early
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Rest in peace. You left us too soon & will never be forgotten. May your star shine bright in the heavens.
My heartfelt prayers & sympathy to all who knew & loved you.
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From the Cubs fan: Baseball will miss this bright, young, and talented star. May you forever RIP Oscar.
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The memory of Taveras that stands out in my mind is his 1st career home run that brought the rain(literally). For some reason that seems so appropriate to me now, it reminds me that we are all playing for something more in life, and baseball is just a game, but for some of us its something more.
That rain bringing home run was The heavens opening up for God’s player, one that God himself was too good not to keep to himself.
Even if it were for only a moment in the marathon of life and baseball OT brought me joy and hope if only for a brief summer.
Thank you Oscar for the memories. I’ll miss you for excitement and hope you brought as a player, and I’ll mourn you for a life gone too soon.
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Rest In Peace Oscar and Edilia. Oscar’s at bats were always a “must watch” and I loved how genuinely excited he was to play baseball. He gave Cardinal fans at least three “wow”-moments: his 2nd at-bat ever home run, his world series home run, and his home run against the Padres. Each of these moments brought me (and Cardinals fans) up from some kind of “baseball low”. However, none of those lows are remotely close to what is being felt with his passing. It truly puts the game of baseball and life more broadly into perspective. You will be missed Oscar but never forgotten. RIP
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Gone to soon! It breaks my heart to hear the loss of Oscar. May Jesus comfort his friends , family , and all the Cardinals team as they cope with the loss of one of their own.
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I believe we are on this earth until we accomplish what God has asked of us. Some of us take a long time to do that and some accomplish it in a heartbeat. Oscar didn’t need very long to get the job done. Job well done for him! Devastating loss for us!
You will be missed, Oscar!
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Oscar Taveras has been my favorite player for a couple of years now. His minor league team won the championship at every level with him. He won batting titles, MVP, and contended for a triple crown. I’m convinced the STL Cardinals win the World Series this year if they had faith in Oscar. Rather than embrace their prodigy they resisted his advancement and placed hurdles to success in front of him. When he struggled they said “look, I told you he’s a rookie who must earn his spot like I had to”. From celebrated hero to rejected outsider took its toll on Oscar as he was sent to the Minors. Trading Alan Craig to force Taveras in the lineup, Oscar homered in his first liberated game. Returning jubilantly to the dugout Oscar was met by silence and cold stares. This is the memory that I’ll never forget. Late season Taveras got white hot approaching the playoffs and confidence soaring. His payoff for his perseverance was another stint on the bench as he watched his beloved Cardinals fall. A ridiculous personal training plan to “help” Oscar this winter was to return him to STL in the offseason to “hit the sled again”. Oscar Taveras played the game of baseball with joy and happiness and this threatened the “Cardinal Way”. RIP Oscar Taveras.
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My thoughts and prayers goes out to Oscar’s family as well as his girlfriend who also passed. Gone way too soon. He was a great talent. As a Long time Cardinals fan and St. Louis Mo. Native I know the fans there and all over this nation loved his energy and his presence. He provided us with great memories that will never be erased from our minds. Cardinal Nation is mourning so deep right now. I can only image what Oscars family and his baseball family is going through right now. We (Cardinals Nation) love you Oscar! R.I.P.
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Such a young man with such a big heart not only for his city but for his team. Great ball player. I remember watching his home run in the playoffs and hom coming out of the dug out to wave thanks to the crowd. He will forever be missed but NEVER forgotten. He lays in our hearts and or city. REST IN PARADISE Oscar Taveras. You are GREATLY missed. Lots of love and support to your family from your St. LOUIS Fans. ♥
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Too young to be gone. Prayers for both his and his girlfriends families. Can only imagine what could have been.
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Aloha from Hawaii. OT18, I didn’t know much about you until you joined your brothers on the Big Stage. You’ve worked hard to get up to MLB, and I’m sure you had your share of dreams that you wanted to complete. Although it was just for one season, thank you for letting us be a part of your dream. We’ll continue dreaming for you, as you watch us from above. We’ll miss you.
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Can’t even believe OT is gone right now. Was looking forward for years to see this guy take the MLB stage. I truly believe Cardinal Nation lost a future Hall of Famer yesterday. He reminded me a lot of Ken Griffey Jr. My thoughts and prayers are with the families of both OT and his girlfriend. You will be greatly missed. Rest easy Oscar Taveras.
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Thoughts and prayers for Oscar`s family. I`m so sorry for your loss. He will be missed
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I traveled from Texas to go to a few Cardinal games, and I was especially excited to see Oscar play. I’m glad that I was able to see him play live, that is a moment I will never forget. Rest in peace Oscar Taveras.
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To OT fam and friends sorry for your loss thank you for sharing him with us. I am cardinal nation and so is he for ever love and respect.
To Cards this is your brother and I know it won’t be the same without him stay positive and carry him in your hearts everyday.
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So sad to hear of the tragic loss of Oscar Taveras. Such a great talent, he will be sorely missed, not just for the great player with tremendous potential that he was, but also for the wonderful person he was.
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A shiniing star for all time. RIP
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I work for a well-known sports website, and it wasn’t that long ago that I was reading articles on how much potential Taveras had to be a star. When I heard the news of his passing last night, I wanted to believe it was a hoax or that someone would come out and say this wasn’t confirmed. Once it was confirmed, I was in disbelief and just kept staring at my computer and shock, and my coworkers this morning couldn’t believe it either. My allegiance lies with the Yankees, and my colleagues’ with other teams that aren’t the Cardinals, but it doesn’t matter today. May he rest in peace.
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Oscar,
June 19, 1992, Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic You were born you were born a star. Oscar Tavares the next “phenom” of baseball the power hitting silky smooth outfielder was signed by the cardinals in 2008. He was the most vauled prospect in the cardinals organization and debatably in all of baseball. He got his chance his dream to play in the MLB on May 31 2014, this was the day he was born into a cardinal. He was hero already after his first game belting his 1st homer in game 1 of his MLB career which was not only his 1st MLB hit but it was his 1st MLB homer. He was a bright star the next great to play in St. Louis drawing comparisons to Vladimir Guerrero a HOF. His team was elimatated by the San Fransisco Giants in the playoffs this year while Oscar went 3-7 1 homer and 1 rbi all post season to help his team of the bench. This rookie was highly touted and highly liked in the locker room by his teammates and coaches and they all knew what he had left in front of him. They all knew he had a OF spot for the cardinals written in for next year however, on October 26, 2014, Taveras and his girlfriend died in a car accident while driving a Chevrolet Camaro in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, after his car ran off the road and hit a tree. Mr. Tavares and his girlfriend were both taken out of this world together and I would like to give my condolences to her and the “phenom” that will never be forgotten in St. Louis no matter how much or how little he contributed. Rest In Peace Oscar Tavares!! We love you and miss you!
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I’ll never forget being able to attend the game of Oscars major league debut. I was so happy I was able to see a homerun for the first time in person, and even more happy that it was only his second at bat in the major league. Oscar was such a wonderful player and person and he’ll never be forgotten. He will be greatly missed and I send my prayers out to him and his girlfriends family and friends as well as every baseball player/ fan affected by this tragedy. #OT18
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I was fortunate enough to watch Oscar Taveras in his first major league start. He was destined to be a star in the game. All baseball fans and the game itself has suffered a loss on this day. Prayers go out to his family and loved ones.
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A life lost to soon, you were just getting started on an awesome career. RIP!
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Orioles Nation grieves for Oscar Taveras, his girlfriend, their families and Cardinals Nation.
This hit me really hard. As an Orioles fan I had no reason to like, dislike, or even keep up with Taveras. I knew who he was, but I knew him only as an upcoming Cardinals talent, a potential stud with whom many had expressed doubts. He was just another player to me. Part of the future of baseball, sure, but still just another player.
And yet, I, someone who almost never cries, very nearly cried watching the video of his NLCS game 2 homer in the minutes after the news broke. The crowd cheering, teammates celebrating. Taveras pointing to the sky. I remember watching the play live, and it feels so different now. I’m happy he had that moment before this happened. That’s what I’ll remember.
None of what I say matters either. I can’t relate to his family and friends, or even to Cardinals fans. But I feel a great sense of loss. I feel sad. Not just because of unrealized potential both on and off the field, but because this is a chilling reminder that these guys are human. We all look at them as players first, but they have families, friends, and teammates who know them as PEOPLE too. They are the ones who need our condolences the most.
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I remember your first Home Run. And I watched your last as well. Gone too soon, very sad to hear of such a young, and promising life lost. My sincerest thoughts, and condolences go out to the families of Oscar, and his girlfriend.
Thank you for the memories. Fly high, young Cardinal. You’ve earned your wings.
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Oscar,
I mourn your loss and offer my condolences to your family, both on and off of the field. It was a blessing to see you do what you loved and bring so much joy to me and my family as Cardinal’s fans.
God bless
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RIP #18 you will be missed. Thanks for the memories this past season, was looking forward to many more. God bless your family during this trying tlme.
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Those of us who follow Memphis Redbirds baseball were always excited to watch Oscar play at Autozone Park. We are equally saddened to hear of his passing. We pray for the Taveras family at this most difficult time.
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My condolences goes out to the family and the teammates. Plus my condolences goes out to the family of his girlfriend. They were taken from this world at a young age. Their lives were just beginning. My thoughts and prayers to the families and teammates. May they Rest In Peace.
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I enjoyed watching Oscar play this year and did think the had great potential. The home run in game 2 of the NCLS is a special memory. I was sorry to learn of the tragic ending to his life and to the life of his girl friend.
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We have been Cardinal Fans for years and we loved Oscar and he will be dearly missed. He will be in our hearts forever, and all of Cardinal nation is Mourning the loss of a wonderful man and teammate. Life is so Precious and we all need to remember this, Oscar was too young and so much to live for. We love you Oscar, Your Arkansas Cardinal Family
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Thoughts and prayers to Oscar’s family, friends, teammates and the entire Cardinal Nation. May you find peace in the coming days.
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I was crying when I heard the news about Oscar, I remember watching his first home run to his last one, life just isnt fair. My prayers go to him and his girlfriend, and their families, for a young man with his whole baseball career in front of him to die is tragic, it is so sad and I have no words. Thank you Oscar for what you brought to Cardinal Nation
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My prayers go out for Oscar and his girlfriend. Prayers for your families as well. I wish I could put something emotional and deep but my heart is just sad and I really just have no words. Prayers. God Bless
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For any young man to die is tragic, but one with such promise, one that we all looked forward to watching grow it is a tragedy we all feel. From this Giants fan, may he Rest in Peace.
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R.I.P. Oscar – Just absolutely sickening these incidents keep happening to our organization. We Will Remember You (DK 57) & (JH). MLB and our team has lost a great young player who had so much potential, which we will never know just how great he could of been. Prays to his family and to his girlfriends family!
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My thoughts and prayers go out to Oscars family and friends. Also his girlfriends family and friends. Such a tragic moment for everyone, his family the most. Coming from a cub fan, thoughts and prayers go to the cardinals players and organization as well. He had great talent and a bright road ahead. This reminds us how everyone should be positive and kind in life because it can be you or your friend or a member of your families time to go. God bless everyone and God bless Oscar Taveras
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Was a huge Oscar fan. Saw him in memphis a lot and my heart sank when I saw the news. I was calling my dad when it popped up and he was in shock also. Hate we lost a great prospect and I hate the world lost a great player. Rip Oscar
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What a sad day. I saw Oscar’s last home run at Busch, and I will always remember his smile and his joyful zest for like. He always seemed to be jumping whenever anyone made a great play or hit a ball successfully. A true baseball player who did whatever was best for the team. We all thought there were so many years ahead for him to shine and be great. So tragic. I won’t forget him. My prayers and condolences to his family and friends and to those of his far too young to lose girlfriend Edilia. I hope you find peace.
Nancy Strohmeyer
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Two years ago, my son Isaac’s 8 year old little league baseball team got to take the field with the Springfield Cardinals. At the time, Oscar Taveras was the center fielder for the Springfield Cardinals. Being a huge fan of Taveras, Isaac got to stand in the outfield with Taveras during the National Anthem. After the Anthem, Isaac said, “Hey Oscar will you hit a home run for me?” Oscar responded, “I’ll try!” Late in the game, in the 8th inning, Taveras came up to bat and smashed a homerun out of the ball park. After he circled the bases, he looked over to where Isaac’s team was sitting and pointed at Isaac. It was a very special moment for Isaac. Oscar soon became one of baseball’s most promising prospects. It is such a tragedy that Oscar died yesterday at the age of 22 in a car accident. He had such a promising career ahead of him. Isaac has the baseball that Taveras signed for him that evening. Every time I look at it, we will remember what a wonderful player and person Taveras was.
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So sad. I remember going to the make-shift memorial for Darryl Kile after he passed away. People stood there for hours reading the posters and tributes. No one really spoke…. just wanted to be around other people who felt the same way. I saw grown men cry. We will miss you, Oscar, but at least we had you for a short time. Gone too soon.
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Oscar will be greatly missed. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends. He will be forever in our hearts. R.I.P. Oscar Taveras. 😦
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