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 
Sending prayers to Oscar’s family and friends!! Such great talent gone too soon! Cardinal Nation will miss you OT!! RIP and 2015 will be for you!!!
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Saw Oscar play once in Chicago against the cubs. So happy i got to see him play at least once. When Stan Musial died, everyone told stories about how great he was. The true heartbreak is that we will never be able to say that. We will only be able to say how great he would have been. Remember, we didnt just lose a member of the team. We lost a member of our Cardinal family. Prayers for his family members and all of Cardinal Nation #OT18
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I am just a simple St Louis Cardinals fan. The loss of Oscar Taveras and his girlfriend, Adilia Arvelo, is tragic for the St Louis Cardinals and its fans. But for their families it is so much more that my heart truly aches for them. Two young people gone so long before they began to reach or understand the potential that their lives could have been. God tells us to Love the Lord your God and to Love One Another. I send my love and prayers to the Taveras and Arvelo’s families; and to Oscar’s extended family, The St Louis Cardinals organization and players. Rest In Peace Oscar and Adilia until your families see you again.
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I first heard the news as a rumor; I was hoping it was just that. When it was confirmed that Oscar passed, I was beside myself. Yes he was the number 3 prospect in the league and the future of our franchise, but besides that he was a 22 year old kid with his whole life in front of him. I’m glad he got to live his dream, and played in the MLB. R.I.P. Oscar
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This sad day is about so much more than losing a ball player. First off the loss of these two people is hardest on the families and friends that knew and loved them as people.
We as a fan base are lost and hurt also because these people that play and are part of the Cardinals organization are much more than ballplayers. We look forward to seeing and hearing about the young guys coming up while rooting on the current team, we watch players like Oscar progress and check the stats as they climb the minor league ladder.
They give us reason to get together with our families….”hey mom…dad.. you guys want to come watch the Cardinals game tonight? Gonna be a good one”
We plan vacations to St. Louis, creating memories every year with our own families around this team and it’s players. We talk about the wins and losses like the outcomes actually have significant meaning.
It’s that time and those conversations with our family and friends that are the real reasons we love the Cardinals.
It’s hard to understand the hole we feel in our hearts because of the loss of Oscar. Why did I cry when I found out? I never spoke to him, never shook his hand, just watched him play baseball. Is it because he was so young? Is it because he wore a jersey and played baseball for a team we like? I think it’s actually because we did lose a piece of our family.
Love to Oscar, Edilia, and their families
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What a tragic loss for both the Cardinals and Oscar’s family. He was a young man with such great hopes and aspirations with the St Louis Cardinals….I watched him play and you could just see and feel the energy he exhibited each time at bat or in the field. I’ve listened to several Cardinal players express what a nice guy Oscar was and how badly he wanted to be a contributing member of the St Louis Cardinals. He surely proved his worth and will surely be greatly missed by all his teammates and we fans who were able to watch him play, if even for a short time. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and the family of his girlfriend. I know Oscar will be looking down from above in support of the team he loved and will help carry them to great heights. R I P Oscar….
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I will never forget Oscar’s home run in Game 2 of the NLCS on my 21st birthday. I feel blessed that I was able to see a glimpse of a budding superstar. Rest in peace, Oscar. You will be greatly missed by many.
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Being diehard Cardinal fans my family was thrilled to see you make it to the main roster and the day you did we will remember forever. We will forever remember the short, but amazing impact you made on the Club. I’m glad you were a Cardinal, Oscar. That home run and swing of the bat was when I knew you had something special. You will be missed! Thank you, Oscar Taveras! Blessings to your family & loved ones.
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We were so looking forward to watching you play. We are praying for your family. My son will never forget when you tossed him a ball after coming off the field. It will be cherished.
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You were with us such a short time but you left long lasting memories. Blessings to your loved ones.
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My deepest sympathy to the family,friends and teammates of Oscar Teveras. We were all looking forward to watching his career unfold. from Jo Ann Drier Busch Stadium Area Manager
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It still doesn’t seem real. I can’t believe you are gone. I have never met you, and I never got a chance to see you play. Yet, I was looking forward to what the future held for you and your career with this incredible organization. I gave my dad one of your rookie cards as a present to him, and I told my father to hold on to it, that it might be valuable someday. Thank you for keeping the Cardinals alive against the Giants, thank you for being the best teammate you could be to the other players, and thank you for everything you gave us as a player for the St. Louis Cardinal. RIP Oscar Taveras, you will be missed.
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As well as someone always come up to soothe when a tragedy comes within my familiy, I also came up here, to Cardinals’ fans (I am one of them), but mostly for those who need it most: Taveras’ family and his girlfriend’s family as well. From us, Cardinals’ fans as well as MLB fans around the world, our grateful ‘thank you’ to Oscar Taveras. You may rest in joyful peace, Oscar. Thank you Oscar Taveras.
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This is so sad. The news stunned and shocked and rocked all of us in Cardinal Nation. To see such an amazing talent taken from is so abruptly really makes us realize the capriciousness of life and the fragility of our mortality.
Oscar was exciting to watch and his smile when he played was vibrant and infectious. Just looking at his face, you knew how much he loved the game.
I can only imagine what his family and baseball family are going through right now. My heart goes out to all of you with condolences and wishes that the memories Oscar gave to us all live long in our minds and hearts. RIP Oscar.
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To Oscar’s and Edilia’s family,
The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.” Numbers 6:24-26
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Phillipians 4:7
Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. May you draw strength and peace through our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
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RIP Oscar Taveras. I may not have seen Oscar play live, but I sure did enjoy watching him play on tv. I felt so happy for him hitting a homer in his 1st MLB game on his 2nd MLB at-bat. The Cardinals not only lost a young, talented player on the field, but also lost a good young man off the field. Cardinal Nation misses you.
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I am sorry for the loss of a great man. My prayers are with the family & cardinals for their loss.
Cathy
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Oscar you will always be remembered as part of the Cardinal Nation. My condolences to the entire Taveras family.
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Today we aren’t Cardinal Nation, we are Cardinal Family. We are mourning the tragic loss of Oscar and Edilia. Sending loving prayers to their families in the DR.
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RIP Oscar… you were a truly gifted boy and it’s a shame you were taken this soon from us… My prayers go to your family, your friends and team mates.
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Sending Prayers And Condolences To Oscar’s Family And To His Girlfriends Family. It’s A Huge Loss For Both Families. Very Sad To Lose Such A Talented Man At Such A Young Age. May Oscar RIP
*Forever A Cardinal. *
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I was privileged to watch him play in Springfield MO. He seemed to always be smiling and enjoying himself. RIP
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We are so very sorry on the tragic news of Oscar’s passing. He was such a joy to watch and his potential was endless. RIP.
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Sending prayers to his family and to his girlfriends family. It’s a hugh loss for both families. Also sad to lose such a talented young man. May Oscar RIR.
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Un pésame muy grande para la familia, los amigos, su equipo, y también a nosotros los aficionados. Es una lástima que no tuvimos a Oscar por más tiempo, y ojala pudimos aprovechar del tiempo que tuvimos. Descansa en paz…
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Condolences to Oscar’s family, that of his girlfriend and the Cardinals. Two lives ended too soon. Sad end to a promising future. RIP.
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OSCAR ALWAYS BE REMEMBER FOR HIS LOVE FOR THE GAME AND HIS LOVE FOR HIS TEANMATES AND HIS SMILE
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RIP O.T.CARDINAL NATION FOREVER!
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The untimely loss of a player with great potential is tragic. Oscar Taveras #18 will be sadly missed and always remembered. Rest in peace.
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I am devastated by the news. What an incredible person and player.
Thinking of his family and friends.
All the best
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Im sorry for the lose of such an outstanding player,may you rest in peace,prayers to your family and teammates,you will be greatly missed,but not forgotten.
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It’s so very sad to loose someone so young, especially with such a great future before him. Condolences to his family and his Cardinal family. Hoping Jack, Kyle and Stan were there to meet him.
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It’s hard to believe that only a few weeks ago, you were showing us what you can do on the field during the playoffs. You came up big for us, and as a member of Cardinal Nation, that will forever be a lasting memory of you!! It is such a tragedy for the early departure of you, Oscar, and your girlfriend. I pray for an easy transition for your family and friends during this difficult time they are facing, as well as the friends and family of your girlfriend. There is an old saying “only the good die young”. I feel like this applies to you….simply because I have heard nothing but great things about you. God has a greater plan, and we can all rest at night, knowing that you are with Him now, and are an angel among us. Rest in peace Oscar.
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So sorry to hear about Oscar Taveras , gone , way to soon, will miss his smile ,so sad so sad .My heart goes out to the 2 Families
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RIP Oscar! Prayers for all family and Cardinal nation! Too soon!
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There comes a part where u have to die but Oscar he was to young. My condolences to Oscar and his Girlfriend’s families.
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You will be truely missed! You were becoming a great baseball player and I looked forward to you being apart of the Cardinals for many years to come. Gone too soon. My thoughts are with the cardinals and his whole family. May you and your girlfriend rest in peace.
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Oscar, I rooted against you in the NLCS. Being a California sports fan, I wanted the Giants to win, and advance to the World Series. I hold nothing but regret for my decision to cheer against you. Had the Cardinals won, you would still be here with us, playing baseball. I was crushed when you hit that homerun, now it brings me joy to have that memory. Witnessing you do what you were born to do. It also brings a tear to my eye, knowing that will be the last homerun I ever see by you. So talented, a life full of success and happiness awaited you. You would have been one of the greats, etching yourself into baseball’s storied history. However, the old phrase goes, “the good die young”. I hope you and Stan Musial get together for game or two up there, and I hope your beloved girlfriend is there to watch. I speak for the entire baseball community when I say that you will be sorely missed. Oscar Taveras, 1992-2014.
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Too Soon!
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Was looking forward to your career and how great you were destined to be. This is too great a sport to ever forget you.
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Posted on my website Monday. It’s http://www.mlbvoice.com
😦 NOW HOW IMPORTANT IS BASEBALL, REALLY?
ST. LOUIS — Our Cardinals lost one of our own. Rookie protege Oscar Taveras was killed Sunday in a Dominican Republic automobile accident. Click out the cardinals.com story for more of the sad details.
You know what? Taveras wasn’t even around long enough for me to assign him one of my silly, clever (?) nicknames. What do you think — Tavs, Tavy, Big OT. IDK! I was working on it and toying with. . . .Oscar the Grouch(less). . . .because of his great promise and positive disposition. Bummer.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the Taveras family. Cardinal Nation will miss you, Oscar.
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Keeping both families in my prayers
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Some pass on with out notice, others may be mourned by those they loved, cared for….and still there are some who will be missed by those whose hearts they touched thru their talents, skills, abilities to perform, to make a difference beyond the physical reach of their arms…..Oscar, we all mourn you…we are all sadden….we Thank You for your brief visit with us, we Thank You for your tremendous spirit on the field, we Thank You for the amazing talent you are and we Thank You for being a huge part of Cardinal Nation…the World of Baseball, thank you for touching us beyond your reach!
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Wow. Into this world and back out in the blink of an eye. 22 years old. 22 short years. Life, or really death, can be cruel. The timing doesn’t feel right, Oscar. You had just made it into the “bigs” and were showing flashes of brilliance that we had heard about since you were signed at age 16.
Your career book-ended by 2 immortal blasts. 2 homeruns for the ages; new pieces of the Cardinal’s lore. The first came in your first game. A shot so towering the skies cried with joy. The second homerun was an October blast that made Giants fans cry in misery.
We assumed this was just the beginning. Never assume. I will not forget you or your infectious smile. I never knew you personally, but can tell who you were by the reactions of your coaches and teammates. A tip of the cap to you Oscar. Tell Stan, Daryl, Jack, Dizzy and the countless other members of Cardinals baseball heaven “hello”. #happyflight
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This is very sad. Young Oscar and Edilia had so much ahead of them. I do not have words enough to say. Although I am a Giants fan, I have a soft spot for Cardinals – a great and courageous club and you have my favourite catcher. Oscar could have been playing in the World Series – it was so near for Cardinals once again. regards from Pete in Sydney, Australia. Vale Oscar and Edilia.
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Gone far too soon. Happy Flight, Oscar. Vaya con Dios, RIP.
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He had it all! Thankful he cared for and was loved back. Non of us will know his true greatness. Leaves us sick and we only experience a small portion of his family and teammates. Prayers for all of you. RIP Oscar Taveras.
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RIP Oscar Taveras, I’m happy that I was able to watch you play even for the short time,
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This is a small thing but worth mentioning I think…Our son Oscar was born Aug. 2nd and while he is named after a family friend who passed away I was very happy that our new star with the Cards was also named Oscar. One of the first things my son and I did together was set in the easy chair and watch the Cards late season surge and playoff run. I thought about how out in the future I could tell him about that, how he was born the same year the Great Oscar debuted for the Cards…and that small future detail that will now never be, somehow makes me very sad…RIP Oscar Taveras, thanks for letting us watch you play…
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Deeply saddened by tragic young end , to a natural monster baseball player , I followed your marks in minor leagues & saw maybe all of your major league starts …..Rest in Peace , loved your raw monster athletic ability , am blessed to have seen your majors , prayers to you & your girlfriends souls
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