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 
There are no words for the loss of a family member. My deepest sympathies for the friends and relatives of Oscar and Edilia. Know that Oscar cared and we care.
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Oscar has touched so many lives – even those that he may have not realized. He was taken from us way to soon. But, his memory and his legacy still lives on in the hearts, minds, and souls of every person he impacted throughout his 22 years.
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I went to the game against the Brewer’s on August 3rd. Oscar drove in the go ahead run and eventual game winning run in the 7th inning! I live over 3 hours away from Busch Stadium and don’t make it to as many games as I’d like to. I was happy we got the win that day and I’ll always remember I got to see Oscar drive in the game winning run!
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RIP OSCAR TAVERAS YOU WILL BE MISSED I LOVED THEY WAY YOU PLAYED
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RIP Oscar. So young and way to early for life taken. The promise we seen in your eyes exhibited the sincere love you had for the game. Sorry we will not be able to see you advance into the player we all have been waiting for. The Cardinals had an Oscar Taveras years ago thru the likes of Bake McBride and Willie Magee. God bless you and thank you to your family for the time we got to share. Play ball in heaven. Gone, never forgotten. Darryl Dickerhoff & Kathy Hesselbach 10/28/2014
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Thanks for the memories. RIP,
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You had a whole future ahead of you, please play good ball in heaven, so glad I got to see you play MLB for the Cardinals more then once this year. Way to young and left us way to soon, you were such a asset to the St Louis Cardinals. RIP Oscar, thanks for the great ball playing and short time we got with you.
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We will miss you Oscar, maybe this was your first season with the cardinals, but you get the respect from all the cardinals fans, RIP Oscar Taveras, we will never forget you…
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FOREVER BE MISSED SUCH A TALENT AND SUCH A GREAT LOSS TO THE CARDINAL FAMILY AND PRAYERS TO HIS FAMILY FOR SUCH A YOUNG LIFE LOST
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so sorry does not begin to say it. I will miss you Oscar!
Cards fan from Tillamook, Or since 2005.,Guys comfort each other. God Bless you all. family,team, fans, everyone. See you later Os-Car!
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R.I.P such a talented kid who had such a great career ahead of him.
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Here in Arkansas many of us bleed Cardinal Red. I am one of those fans and Sunday night when I heard I couldn’t believe it! When it was confirmed – my son put it best – my mom is devastated. Such a loss for what might have been…condolences to his and his girlfriends family – he will always be remembered by all of us and we are saddened GREATLY. Condolences for Cardinal Nation and all of the team. I feel so bad for the team and Mike. I feel like we lost family as Cardinal Nation is a family. RIP Oscar #18 – you WILL be missed. Prayers also for the Cardinal team Can’t imagine what they are feeling right now 😦
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Rip to OT and his girlfriend. My condolences to the families of both of these young people. May GOD help the families heal in this difficult times.
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We are saddened because you were young. We are at a loss because you were going to be a joy to watch. We mourn as if we knew you because you were one of ours. We have read and heard about OT…the prodigy…for years…and you had finally arrived. There is an anticipation that comes with a young ballplayer that doesn’t happen in other sports. Cardinal Nation and the game of baseball was robbed of a true talent. Watch over our boys OT, you will be missed. God bless your family, friends, and teammates.
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I have been a Cardinals fan for 50 years and was stunned to hear the news on Monday morning. My thoughts and prayers go out to the Taveras family and the whole Cardinals Organization. Just a travesty that such a bright shinning star is gone. RIP Oscar!!! That wide bright smile will be missed but you will never be forgotten.
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Sad, sad, sad!! God has plans. We are not privy to those plans. It leaves us feeling helpless BUT God needed Oscar…for whatever reason!! God’s love and prayers to Oscar’s family, friends, and colleagues!! We will miss you and pray for your everlasting life!! Watch over us and your beloved Cardinals!!
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To the family of Oscar, I express my sincere sympathy for their tragic loss. My thoughts and prayers are with both his family and his girlfriend’s. The St. Louis Cardinals have lost one talented player. Oscar, you will be missed. I guess God needed a right fielder. He got himself a great one. Rest in peace, Oscar.
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My condolences go out to OT’s family, friends, baseball family and team. He will be a Cardinal forever.
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I didn’t know Oscar but through wifi, tv, radio, newspapers, and the occasional MLB high light on ESPN or mobile device. I knew I was frustrated with his play many times this year, and was frustrated when I’d see him come to bat in a pinch hit role instead of Peter or AJ. It was frustrating. It’s most frustrating because of the love I have had for the Cardinals almost 25 years now, and to see the struggles they went/go through makes it real. It makes it seem as if those struggles are in my own living room. But, somehow, after frustrations occur, they come out of it and seem to bring it all back together and do what many MLB teams only dream of doing. It might be because of coaching, or the opponents aren’t prepared or athletic enough. Who knows. All I know is that my team, the Cardinals, for that one moment, made me smile. A double play, homerun, squeeze, or a 5 run inning. It made me feel like I was in the dugout, cheering them on and giving high fives like Holliday or Adams.
So, seeing Oscar struggle throughout this season made me realize I was like an elder to the team (being only 43 hardly constitutes being an elder) but, for the most of 25 seasons, I’ve watched players on the team come and go, just like I’ve watched players grow in the organization and either leave the team or continue to fester into what we really need on our field in athletic, smart ball players. So, as an ‘elder’ for the Cardinal Organization (it’s only a paid position in pride), I’ve often times wondered why in the world did we bring this kid along, only to see him not mature into the kind of ball player we need!? Well, over this past season (especially late), I noticed he’s grown. He’s matured and even taken in John Jay and Jhonny Peralta as his mentors who helped him along the majors and create this 22 year old kid into a professional.
So, with that said, seeing him up to bat in a pinch hit role and seeing that ball fly over the right field wall was like a ‘proud dad moment’ for me and I was as ecstatic as the next Cardinal Fan! Not that he helped us propel in that win, but that we finally can see the seed sprout and we see the fruits of those labors in St. Louis (as well as Jupiter and the D.R.) to what we expected out of a young stud like Oscar.
I was driving home from dinner when I was told in the car that Oscar was killed in a car accident, and the only thing I could muster was ‘it has to be a different person.’ After stopping for gas, I had a chance to check it out on my phone and, once again (for the third time in 13 years) I was reading what I thought was a bad dream. Another Cardinal player leaving us too soon. I really had nothing to say. I was emotional beyond belief. I know, weird, right? I mean, I’ve never met the guy, never saw him personally play ball or knew his family, but that didn’t matter. Because my family (at least in baseball) was the Cardinal organization, and what they’ve done for us fans over the years has created a bond that is unlike any other ball team/fan club in the major league. I really feel like I am a part of this organization, this family, that when bad things like losing ball games, playoff games, a member of the roster or organization, it really resonates with me!
Oscar was beloved in his family. You can tell that. His brothers and parents loved him more than anything, and he the same. He was where he needed to be in his life. Starting out as a young man, developing athletically to become a talented right fielder and hitting machine, was just the beginning. Oscar was exactly what the Cardinal organization needed to really see how their farm team develops raw talent like Oscar, how they carry their system to other countries, and how they scout talent that is not only top-notch, but is worthy to put on that uniform.
Oscar was it. If you asked me four months ago if I felt the same way, I would have probably said no, but watching him grow and become a professional baseball player, not only did I see it in his practice, I saw it in his eyes. He knew he was getting what he needed in the Cardinal organization to be a professional ball player for some time, he just didn’t rush to it, thanks to the coaching staff and mentors around him in that clubhouse.
Oscar is gone. We are selfish. We cry when someone leaves us because it’s human nature to have those feelings of lonesomeness and shame that we maybe didn’t truly appreciate all we had when they were here. Oscar is gone, and all we have is a handful of ball games and at-bats that we can memorialize what he did for our ball club.
It’s a shame that things like this happen. I’ve often wondered why, like many others, does this happen to the best of them, but there’s a rhyme and reason for everything. On that dark highway on Sunday night, I didn’t want to think that. All I wanted to think was it wasn’t true, it was some dead spin story that wasn’t official, but it was. We lost yet another player from our active organization that meant more to us than we will ever account for. He was the future of the Cardinals, and yet, we cannot see that to fruition.
The MLB community mourned the loss of this young man today, yesterday, and Sunday, but the Cardinal organization will mourn his loss forever, because the fans will. We will embrace our beloved team and try our best to move forward in 2015, again, doing our best to help capture the NL Central crown, hopefully moving on to the ultimate claim: World Series Champs, but we will not forget how important it was for this young man to be a final constant to an organization that takes people seriously and treats their players and everyone around them like family.
I love the Cardinals. There isn’t a classier organization, but for this one brief moment, I’ve put aside my love for the Cardinals to dedicate my love for Oscar Tevaras. A young man whose life was cut short for a purpose much higher than any of us could fathom.
Oscar. My right field light will always be on for you.
Kevin Lipke
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Hi Kevin…What an incredible tribute…very moving & touching. I also wrote on this tribute with a poem I read some years ago that goes like this……………………………
“People so seldom say ‘ I Love You’….and then It’s either too late
or love goes…so when I tell you that ‘I Love You’ It doesn’t mean
that I want you to go…only that I wish you didn’t have to………….
Thank you again for your moving tribute. Stan Gillett
I
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My deepest sympathy to your family. Oscar will be greatly missed here in St Louis.
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A young life taken too soon. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends and teammates. May God bless you all. RIP Oscar Taveras.
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In the wake of Oscar Taveras’ untimely death, there is something different about the way I watch baseball. I sit thinking about the tragedy of a 22 year old phenom, rising star in the MLB having his life being taken far to soon. I think about how a man not only not being able to play out what we would assume to be a Hall of Fame esc. career but not being to marry, have children, have grandchildren, and enjoy the little things in life that many of us take for advantage on a daily basis. More than anything else it shows how fragile life really is. In the midst of the greatest baseball spectacle in all of the baseball, the Fall Classic, all I can think about is a lost life. I ask myself many questions. How can such a simplistic yet so complicated game bring an entire nation together to mourn the death of one of its own? In the end, the answer lies deeply within the depths of the game and of ourselves. Baseball has an innate ability unify and bring people together. It reminds people of their childhoods, to a peaceful time when there was not a care in the world. In the words of James Earl Jones in Field of Dreams. “People will come, Ray. They’ll come to Iowa for reasons they can’t even fathom. They’ll turn into your driveway, not knowingly for sure why they’re doing it. They’ll arrive at your door, as innocent as children, longing for the past. “Of course, we won’t mind if you look like around,” you’ll say, “It’s only twenty dollars per person.” And they’ll pass over the money without even thinking about it, for it is money they have and peace they lack. And they’ll walk off to the bleachers and sit in their short sleeves on a perfect afternoon. And find they have reserved seats somewhere along the baselines where they sat when they were children. And cheer their heroes. And they’ll watch the game, and it’ll be as they’d dipped themselves in magic waters. The memories will be so thick, they’ll have to brush them away from their faces. People will come, Ray. The one constant through all the years Ray, has been baseball. America has rolled by like an army of steamrollers. It’s been erased like a blackboard, rebuilt and erased again. But baseball has marked the time. This field, this game, is a part of our past, Ray. It reminds us of all that once was good, and that could be again. Oh people will come, Ray. People will most definitely come.” In a life where answers are hard to come by, baseball is perfect. There is an answer to everything. “A baseball game is simply a nervous breakdown divided into nine innings,” stated Earl Wilson. Now I see this statement is as incorrect as they come. Let us not let the death of Oscar Taveras go in vain, and let it teach us a valuable lesson. Let us not take anything for granted especially the love that we call baseball. RIP Oscar, you’ll be missed
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My heart is broken by this tragedy. I was born and raised in the same area in the Dominican Republic as him. We will always be proud of him. RIP. Prayers to both the family .
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Losing anyone at any age is difficult, but to lose a member of Cardinal Nation so young is nothing short of a travesty. Never will I forget watching your Game 2 NLCS homerun unfold no further than 100 feet in front of me. Rest in Peace and fly high with Stan the Man. You very well could have been the best Cardinal of all time,
Blake Noud
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Rest in peace Tavares and Arvelo. I’m Jays fans and Also Tavares fans since we are from the same Town in Puerto Plata. We will always miss #18!
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Sending out prayers to Oscars friends and family as well as to the friends and family of his girlfriend. Rest in peace.
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My heart is broken. Prayers for the families. RIP CARDINAL.
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My thoughts and prayers to the Tavares family. The world has lost a young man who was very special in so many ways. God bless and may you find peace
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RIP Oscar! WAy to young and such a great future ahead of you! You are going to really be missed!
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My thoughts and prayers to the Tabares family. The world has lost a young man who was very special in so many ways. God bless and may you find peace
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A player I’ve admired for years who I was so happy to see make it to the big leagues finally. He was a beacon of light for his teammates and fans, always shining. I loved to watch him play, when he was called up I bought his shirt, custom made from the team website because they didn’t even have him as an option on the shirt menu yet. You were taken from the world too soon, and we all know the player you were and could have been. You will always be in a special place in my heart, rest in peace and stay hello to Stan for me.
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Saying prayers for the family of Oscar and for the family of his girlfriend. Cardinal Nation is numb and our hearts hurt. We only had you for a short time and so thankful that my boys and I had an opportunity to watch you play. Living in Arkansas, my family don’t have opportunities to watch my Cardinals but I remember the game in July that I attended with my sons and enjoyed the excitement of watching Oscar bat. Thank you Oscar for that. Wishing I was in St Louis to pay my respects but you are in our hearts.
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Fly with the angels in Baseball Heaven OT! Condolences to the family. CardinaL Nation Wil miss you terribly.
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Every now and then someone’s death just socks you in the stomach like Princess Diana or John Kennedy Jr. Other recent Cardinal deaths have had that affect on me as has this one. Oscar, you will be missed. Gone too soon but not to be forgotten. Rest in Peace and say Hi to Stan for me.
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When I heard the news I was deeply saddened. Been a Cardinals fan my whole life, I can honestly say I hadn’t been that excited about an individual player so young and full of promise since Albert. I followed him all the way through the minors. And waited patiently for him to get his shot. Second major league at bat he cracks a no doubter to right. And I thought to myself “He’s the real deal. We’re good for the next 15 years.” That pretty swing and that beaming smile. That kid was gonna go far. It’s a shame what happened. But I hope he knew before he passed that he was loved by Cardinal Nation. If by no one else, then I loved him. Wave him on home Stan! Rest easy Oscar.
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As I grieve and mourn the loss of our Beloved Oscar Taveras, #18 FoReVer 22, Our Talented, Loving, Smiling St.Louis Cardinal Rookie, I pray for his family that are going thru a much worse loss of their Loving Son, brother, cousin & dear friend that they had the fortune to know, love & laugh with. I pray that his family will keep his spirit alive thru his son and just know that we will all meet again when it is our time To Go Home. I pray Dear Lord to place your hands on his loved ones & let them know that Oscar will always be with them in their hearts and as their Angel. Until we meet again Rookie….. ❤ ya while we had ya & you will never be forgotten!!!
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we will never understand why the lord takes them from us so young……lost a lot of talent and a very heart warming young man…..REST IN PEACE OCAR AND GOD SPEED
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R.I.P. Oscar.You are missed very much and will be, God bless your family. May you fly with the angles.
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He was so young and had a promising career with The Cardinals and was loved in St Louis by his fans he will be missed. Such a tragedy his family are in my thoughts.
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RIP Oscar. Mis condolencias a su familia y amigos.
A lifetime Cardinals’ fan from Miami
George
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I saw Oscar’s first Major league home run this season from Busch Stadium, it started raining and he hit it over the wall….the place erupted!! He went around the bases with such a child like grin, then received an standing ovation from the fans, he came out and gave a tip of the cap to the fans! A wonderful moment in baseball! Thank You Oscar, you are truly missed by Cardinal Nation. You will always be a Redbird! God Bless your Family, friends and team mates!
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R.I.P Oscar Taveras… you will be deeply missed by Cardinal Nation, your family, your friends and most importantly your son will know just how great of a man you were and how you touched so many people.. I pray your family finds peace..
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A talent gone way too early. Rip and God Bless Oscar Taveras
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Oscar, we will miss watching you and your great talent playing baseball with the Cardinals. May God bless your family and fill their hearts with peace and love. Our deepest sympathy.
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Oscar, the joy u brought to me will forever be etched in my memory, I’m 22, so I have been following u since I was about 17. Gonna miss u a lot but also want to thank u for always putting a smile on my face weather it’s just goofing around hitting a tieing home run in the playoffs that beautiful left handed swing was the best baseball swing I’ve ever seen. u are my forever #18 of the cardinals, may you rest in paradise, and play some baseball while ur there, you will be greatly missed, best memory ur first game hitting one out in the rain for ur first hit, although cut short u are a cardinals legend to me -Justin Holtman
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RIP Oscar Taveras……gone way to soon. It will be a tough few months until next season starts. Cardinal Nation will never forget OT. God Bless
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You have earned your Cardinal wings Oscar, may you be resting sheltered in the arms of God. I ask that God now comfort your family, friends, and Cardinal fans everywhere. Gone to soon, but never will be forgotten…
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RIP OSCAR TAVERAS … A life taken much too soon . May God bless the family ,friends , and teammates with the ability to help one another, and the strength to carry on in the days to come. With love and support of all of Cardinal Nation … family, friends, teammates, and fan base ; Oscar’s name will live on through helping others.
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R.I.P. Oscar im glad I got to work with you and know you. You were a fantastic friend and an amazing athlete. You will be greatly missed.
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I saw this young man in St.Louis hit his homerun it was amazing. The smile on his face told it all. You could see in his smilevthe love for the game of baseball. Oscar will always be in our hearts..Oscar was taken from his family and fans Way to soon. HE will be smiling im sure as he watches over us all. Thank God for letting him be in the playoffs I know that was an elation for him. Rest in Heavenly peace Oscar you will always be in our heart of hearts . Thank you for the memories in a short time. May you be a team leader in heaven. A true Cardinal Fan for 57 years. Cindy
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