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’m going to miss my favorite ball player rip oscae taveras🙏😔
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Oscar, You were a damn good ball player. You will be missed dearly. Everyone wanted to see what your career had to bring. I still can’t believe this happened. You are in a better place now. May you rest in peace. You are on gods team now.
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Happy Flight, Oscar.
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He was almost magical to watch at the plate and his smile made you yourself smile. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends as well as with his girlfriend’s family and friends.
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You will be forever missed. Gone but not forgotten.
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we now know a new angel will be watching over baseball heaven, fly high Oscar
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RIP Oscar Taveras! One of the greatest gone too soon!
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My condolences to the families, the Cardinal organization, fans of baseball has lost a future star. It was like a kick in the stomach when I first found out yesterday evening. The third time in the past 13 years this has happened to the Cards – I can’t recall if this has happened to any other organization. RIP OT!
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I’m stunned and saddened. Oscar was my favorite young player. I’ll hold on to the game used gloves, bats and jerseys I have of his and i’ll always remember that sweet sweet swing. RIP Oscar. You’ll forever be a St. Louis Cardinal.
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May you and your lady friend be in God’s Kingdom now. You are a great talent young man and will be remembered for all your efforts in Cardinal Nation and the happiness and thrills you brought to everyone!! Keep a watch from above over your family, friends and fans.,
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I saw Oscar play in Memphis this spring. He was a good player but more important seemed like a good young man. RIP
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We only knew Oscar as a baseball player, but with the outpouring of messages from his teammates it seems like the world lost somebody that was a great person as well. To all those affected by the loss of these two young people my thoughts are with you. This was a great loss to anybody that loves the game of baseball. His first game and his last game were against the Giants. God Bless everybody affected by this loss.
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Wow what a great talent he was exciting to watch lots of energy what great loss. What is life but a vapor here today gone tommorrow . Life is short I’m glad I got to watch a rising star .
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My condolences go to Oscars family and friends and to the Cardinals organization for the loss of Oscar may God bless you all and watch over you.
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Such a sad time right now for everyone affected by this tragedy. Oscar and Edilia were taken from this life way too soon. My condolences go out to the families and friends of both of these young people as well as everyone in the Cardinals organization. I was thrilled and honored to be at the game when he hit his first home run. After hearing so many good things about the young prospect, it was an amazing thing to witness. RIP Oscar. Cardinals Nation will miss you!
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RIP Oscar. It was a thrill watching him play here in Springfield in AA ball, and we always knew he was going to be destined to greater things. He is gone far too soon and Cardinal Nation will never forget him.
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There is nothing to call this but a tragedy – for not one, but two families. It is the saddest of circumstances to have so many lives shattered so quickly – especially when they show such great promise and have so much left to accomplish. We weep as an extended family, a nation, and a species for a loss so untimely and unbelievable. Today, there is crying in baseball.
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I had the chance to see you play this year. Though your natural talent stood out, it was also very easy to see the excitement and passion you had for the game. Though we first were introduced to you as “Minor League Guy”, your short time on this Earth had a major impact on so many. Sending you and your family my love and condolences. Rest in peace OT.
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So deeply saddened by this. I loved watching this kid play, and my wife, who married into the Redbird family, had pegged Oscar as her new favorite player. I cannot imagine the pain his family is dealing with, but I will be sending prayers for peace and strength to Oscars family, and to everyone in the Cardinals organization.
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Seems like yesterday I saw the online profile of you and couldn’t wait to see what you would do in the majors. Well you didn’t prove anyone wrong. You were exactly what we expected.. A kind loving heart who loved baseball and was good at it. Cardinals baseball is something I love and to see a young member of it do is saddening. RIP Oscar we are gonna miss you man. Rest in paradise and we will remember you not only for what you did on the field but for who you were on and off the field.
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Thank you for sharing your talent with Cardinal Nation. Is was an honor watching you play. You will forever be in our hearts!!!
My prayers are with you as you and your girlfriend make your journey to heaven, with your family and friends, and with your teammates.
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My heart goes out to oscars family today he was way to young.thank you for sharing your son with cardinal fans. He will be missed greatly.
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When people talk about “The Cardinal Way,” they almost always mean a work ethic and attitude towards playing baseball that makes a player successful within the St. Louis organization. What’s left out is the devotion those players have towards bringing smiles to the faces of the thousands of fans who watch them play. A devotion which made fans love the players as if they were family. Oscar Taveras embodied “The Cardinal Way.” I’ve never met him. I’ve never heard him give an interview. I’ve never seen him play in person. Yet here I am with tears in my eyes. A kid my age was taken from us too soon. We will miss you Oscar.
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Although we never know them personally we feel we do. As fans we see these kids grow into young men. Oscar had an infectious smile, that is what I will remember most about him, his ear to ear grin anytime something good happened. Good bye Oscar, you are gone far too soon. Baseball fans know they lost not only a a good ball player, but a good human being as well.
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Rest in peace Oscar and Edilia. We cannot begin to understand the reasons behind a tragedy as gut-wrenching as this one, but, as believers in the power that created us all, we are confident that we will see you again on that Diamond in eternity. May God bless and keep the family and friends of Oscar and Edilia close during this time of mourning and sadness.
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It was a blast watching you this season. I remember driving home from work when you hit your first home run, I freaked out in the car out of happiness. It has been a blast watching you play the game you loved. Such a tragedy and a life lost to soon. Myself and all of Cardinal Nation were looking forward to watching you grow into a star. With a heavy heart I read the news yesterday almost broken down. RIP from Cardinal Nation and the Bacus family. You will be missed Oscar.
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I’m still in shock. It’s a very sad situation. This kid had all the talent in the world. He was going to be a superstar. He had a swing as sweet as Cano. I got to see him play in winterball a couple of years ago and from there knew he was going to be the real deal. As a fellow Dominican, I was already talking about the conflict our outfield was going to have for the 2017 WBC because we would have 4 great outfielders (Gomez, Marte, Polanco and Taveras). I also went as far as saying that Marte, Polanco, Sano, Ventura, and Taveras were the future of Dominican baseball. To see it taken away like this truly hurts. It’s like having a knot in your stomach. I may have not know him on a personal level, but when you follow someone and with such a promising career and seeing it end before it really started, it leaves a sour taste. In 2017, he won’t be at the WBC, but I’ll be a Dominican #18 jersey with the name Taveras. RIP #18 “El Fenomeno”
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The shocking loss of highly touted rookie Oscar Traveras is devastating and tragic news. Only 22 years of age with so much potential to be a genuine MLB star. To read the comments from his teammates describing his engaging personality makes this Ill timed tragedy even more anguishing. May the families and friends of these two young victims find peace and spiritual strength through the outpouring support around the world.
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The best always go first. what a shame.
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“There is no crying in baseball.”- A League Of Their Own Today, we can make an exception and cry as, we mourn Oscar Taveras. Condolences to his family, and friends. Oscar, you join the Cardinals greats. Cardinal Nation, we now have our own angel in the outfield and his name is Oscar Taveras. We will miss you.
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Sad day in Cardinal nation. Our hearts weigh heavy, as we mourn the loss of such a young talented player!! Very honored that we had the chance to see him play. He will be deeply missed. My prayers go out to both families.
R.I.P Oscar. FLY HIGH FREEBIRD
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As a huge fan of promising talent coming up through the ranks, I have watched Oscar play from day 1 in the minor leagues. He played the game with passion and you could really see the joy every time he stepped on the field.
Thoughts and prayers go out to his family, friends, team mates, and Cardinal fans during this tragic time. Oscar left us too soon, and will forever be in baseball fans memories for his brief time that he was able to spread that joy to all of us.
RIP Oscar Taveras
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I remember seeing him at one of the Cardinal games I went to this past season. He was so full of promise and opportunity…and so young as well. It hits me hard because I am 21 years old myself, and I can’t imagine the pain my family would feel, much less his family. My thoughts and prayers go out to his friends and loved ones in this time of remorse.
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My family is deeply saddened as we mourn the loss of Oscar & his girlfriend. We live in Alb., NM & I had the pleasure of seeing him play for Memphis vs. the Isotopes. I was standing behind their dug out (in a Cardinal jersey) and shouted “Hi Oscar” & he shouted Hi back and waved with a big smile! 🙂 What a thrill to watch him hit those home runs! RIP
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Oscar Taveras left before his time. Stan and Rogers and Country and Enos are all waiting for him now. RIP Oscar Taveras
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There are no words. My prayers go out to the families, friends, and team mates.
RIP #18
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Can remember coming home from work just in time to see his first game. Getting to see his second at bat and hitting a home run for his first major league hit and the amazing standing ovation Cardinal nation gave him. He instantly became one of my favorite players and I was excited to get to watch him grow into an all star over the years. Couldn’t wait for grichuk and taveras to battle it out for right field next year. Seeing the emotion he brought to the field especially during the playoffs was fun to watch. Even sitting the bench he helping the team by getting excited and cheering loudly during a big or crucial play. Just complete and total shock right now and not wanting to see next season come, knowing that he won’t be there. Having to face reality sometimes can really put life into perspective. R.I.P. Oscar Taveras, Cardinal nation thanks you for the time you gave us and the memories you left. You will be missed but never forgotten.
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So heartbroken. I’ve been following his career since he was drafted at 18, and even more closely when he was called up in May. He quickly became one of my favorite players because of his infectious smile. Man, I will never forget the home run in his second at bat in the major leagues. He genuinely seemed to still just have fun and enjoy the game, which is so rare to see these days because rookies enjoying themselves is frowned upon. The kid just had a ridiculous amount of talent and I was beyond excited to see him play in St. Louis for many seasons to come.
The thing is, baseball has no meaning to me at all right now. I’m heartbroken about the fact he was only 22 years old and still had his entire life ahead of him. I’m heartbroken for his family, friends, and his girlfriend’s family and friends as well. Man, this one is going to take awhile; for Oscar’s family and friends, his girlfriend’s family and friends, and the entire baseball community as well. Rest in peace, Oscar and Edilia.
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I just found out and I an very sorry to here about the families loss. You will be greatly missed. R.I.P Oscar
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What a tragedy. Condolences Cardinals Nation from a Dodgers fan. The kid was just beginning his life and beginning to live his dream. Same age as one of my sons and just shocking to hear of a life taken so soon. Hold on to your children for a s long as you can. Praying for his family today.
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Oscar, We will miss you! You are forever a part of the Cardinals family. We Love you, Rest in Peace.
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I felt like I lost a friend last night. Ive been following Oscar since the day he signed…I was deeply and genuinely saddened to hear about Oscar…I remember his first game like it was yesterday…the day he got called up i was sooooooo excited because I had been waiting on it for the past 2 years. Everytime I talked about the cardinals and the future, I couldnt help but bring up Oscar..I didnt care when Albert left because I knew Oscar was next.. when he took that swing on that first home run..I literally lost my voice from yelling so loud and long…I had been waiting for so lonnngg just to see that moment even through the struggle he had at first I could see him getting more and more comfortable at the plate… the home run in the playoffs I called it as soon as he walked to the on deck circle. …..lastly, condolences to the girlfriend and her family…. 22 and 18… not even a chance to live, to grow, to shine…Rest In Power Oscar and Edilia..
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R.I.P. Oscar. You’ll be deeply missed!! It was a true blessing to have been able to watch you play and especially play live. A talent like his doesn’t come around every day. He had an amazing future, but unfortunately was taken was taken way too soon. My thoughts and prayers go out to friends and families of both involved in this tragic accident. To Oscar and his girlfriend, may you both R.I.P. Up there playing for God’s team now. R.I.P.
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This just isn’t fair. Not even a baseball thing. 22 is way too young for this. Just breaks my heart.
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I had the honor and privilege to be in the scoreboard at Busch Stadium and click the “home run” button for Oscar Taveras’ first & last MLB home runs. There was probably no single player whom I rooted for harder to succeed every time he stepped to the plate. Now, what I’d give to be able to see him step to the plate even one more time. Gone too soon…RIP OT18
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Oscar, you may not have been with us long, but you still made an impact on this team. You made a difference, which is all anyone can ever ask of a player. We will miss you and never forget the times you brought pride to the Birds on the Bat.
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Horribly sad news. He was going to be the next Cardinal great, a real star in the game.
I am a Pirates fan, and I was expecting to have to battle against him for years to come.
A tragic loss to his team, the game, but most importantly, to his family.
I hope that all the warm thoughts and kind words of baseball fans from all over may give his family some comfort, however so slight, at this terrible tragedy.
May he Rest in Peace.
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Running through the tunnel, out onto the sun-drenched green grass of right field, breath increasing in time to lithe legs sprinting into the right-center field gap, stab the gloved arm up over your head, and feel the hard ball snag into the soft leather with a slap, wheel and sling the ball back to the infield like a laser. Hear your name called to the thousands as your metal cleats feel the rough grass change into the soft dust of the dirt cirlce. Feel the heavy lumber in the grip of strong hands, hear the whiz of the spinning hardball approach and turn it around with a whip of the arms, feel absolutely nothing as the bat meets the ball square on the barrel, but hear the crack, like a cannon shot. You’re only four steps down the first base line when you see the salvo dissapear into a sea of reaching hands.
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A life that could have been. Such sad news throughout the baseball community. Tough to grip. I played college baseball at MSU, in Springfield, Mo, where Oscar spent his days playing for the double A cardinals. I remember saying what’s up to him every single day from my walk from the clubhouse to the indoor batting cages. Dude always greeted me with a smile and a what’s up back. Oscar was always on the phone during our passings. Most likely with his family and/or girlfriend judging by the way he was only speaking in his native language. Anyways, I’ll always remember Oscar’s first hit in the major’s. An absolute bomb that he pimped with his beautiful follow thru. Afterwards I snapped a pic of that shot, and tweeted out that it gave me goosebumps, and memories of watching Griffey swing. Oscar’s life may have been short, but some people die without really having ever lived. For Oscar, he got the chance to live his childhood dream. That right there proves that even tho he may be gone, while he was here he was very, very alive. For that I’m thankful. RIP OT. A life that could’ve been… But nonetheless was GREAT.
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