Former major league corner infielder Andy Marte died Sunday morning in a car crash in his native Dominican Republic, according to various reports. He was 33 years old.
“Words can’t express the emotions from the loss of our client Andy Marte. Gone too soon. A great person on and off the field,” Marte’s agency, J.M.G. baseball, stated (via Twitter).
Marte signed with the Braves as an international free agent in 2000 and quickly became one of the majors’ premier prospects. Baseball America regarded him as a top 40 prospect each year from 2002-05, and he peaked at No. 9 after the 2004 campaign. Marte cracked the big leagues a year later in a 24-game, 66-plate appearance stint with Atlanta, which then traded him to the Red Sox the next offseason in exchange for longtime major league shortstop Edgar Renteria.
Marte again ended up on the move in 2006, this time going from Boston and Cleveland in a large trade that saw the Red Sox net outfielder Coco Crisp. The majority of Marte’s major league action came as a member of the Indians, with whom he batted .224/.281/.369 in 858 trips to the plate from 2006-10. Marte then spent time with the Pirates, Angels and Diamondbacks organizations, though he only amassed 16 more PAs in the majors (all with the D-backs) before signing with the KT Wiz of the Korea Baseball Organization in 2014. Marte thrived in Korea over the past two seasons, hitting a stellar .312/.390/.547 in a combined 867 PAs and amassing 20-plus home runs both years.
MLBTR extends its condolences to Marte’s family, friends and fans.
My prayers are out for his family. Rest In Peace, Andy Marte.
Reports are saying that he was drunk during that time, and was driving pretty damn fast that the vehicle couldn’t be recognized anymore when the local police arrived on scene. (Via: link to m.sports.naver.com)
prayers to his friends and family just sad man
RIP
33, huh?
Driving down there is crazy see it coming in contracts to stop players from doing it in the Dominican Oscar died on a stretch of straight road
That’s basically saying they could never go home though. I know what you’re saying but don’t ever see that happening.
What?? Is not going to happend!! Jose Hernadez die in boat accident!! People die anyway no matter the country or if they drive a car or boat
R.I.P my country men
I don’t think that they will be banned from returning home but as I suggested in the YV post maybe they can figure a way to get these guys transported around safely when they do go home to visit
OMG I thought it said Starling Marte at first. But it’s still terrible
Yordano ventura dies as well
It has been reported here in the Dominican Republic that Yordano Ventura died in a separate accident early this morning.
Wtf
R.i.p !! One day two baseball players dead!! Is soo sad
So sad. Rest in peace…
Rest In Peace Andy! My condolences to his Family and Friends…
RIP
May God bless and receive his soul and cover his family and friends with His love, comfort, and healing.
God doesn’t exist!
We’re all going to find out soon enough
Actually God does exist just not the way the religious zealous think
There is a lot of religion bashing going on in these forums. People saying they are going to pray for a family and getting absolutely ostracized for it. Religion bashing is just as bad as someone trying to push their religion onto you. Stop being such jerks to each other.
Amen
You must be one brilliant sob to know that.
RIP
Rest easy
RIP
This one especially hurts as being a Tribe fan I watched much of Martes career. Sad it never panned out as hoped, and this tragedy only makes it all that much more painful.
My thoughts and prayers go out to him and his family, as well as his organizations and all those he touched during his time.
RIP Andy
Same feeling here with this tribe fan.
33 is too young to die … RIP
I always wondered where he ended up. As an Indians fan, I really liked the guy. A lot of our fair weather fans blasted him for not meeting his potential, not to mention he was the return for Coco Crisp, but I liked rooting for him. Such a shame that this happened.
I used to compare him to Javy Baez.
This is so sad. We’re the same age. I couldn’t fathom my life ending right now.
Hope his family will be okay.
I think it is time mlb institutes a new revamped risky behavior deterrent program. I remember a story about andruw jones drifting into a parking lot at a high rate of speed in a Ferrari and bragging it never left 2nd gear. I for one at that age would have been the same way if i had a Ferrari… Heck i was in my lil 6cylinder svt. What redblooded male wouldnt? Maybe one that saw a mva victim with a head looking like a deflated basketball. Maybe put clauses into contracts that force players to add devices that shut off these vehicles at 85mph. just heartbreaking to bury kids being kids. RIP brothers…
Since when are you a “kid” at age 26?
You’re considered an adult at 18, it doesn’t mean you aren’t a kid…he still had a lot of life to live and a lot to learn
RIP
RIP Andy