Cardinals outfielder Oscar Taveras has died in a car accident in Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic, Dionisio Soldevila of ESPNDeportes confirms (via Twitter). Taveras’ girlfriend, 18-year-old Edilia Arvelo, also reportedly passed away. A variety of outlets from the Dominican Republic had reported news of the accident. Taveras was 22 years old. Soldevila notes that the police report indicates that Taveras’ car had veered off the road.
“I … will forever remember him as a wonderful young man who was a gifted athlete with an infectious love for life,” said Cardinals GM John Mozeliak, via the Los Angeles Times’ Bill Shaikin (also on Twitter).
“Oscar was an amazing talent with a bright future who was taken from us well before his time,” added Cardinals chairman Bill DeWitt Jr., via FOX Sports’ Jon Morosi.
“All throughout baseball are in mourning this evening,” said Bud Selig in a statement. “With heavy hearts, tonight we play Game Five of the 2014 World Series in memory of these two young people. On behalf of Major League Baseball, I extend my deepest condolences to the families and friends of both individuals, as well as to Oscar’s teammates and the entire Cardinals organization.”
Taveras signed with the Cardinals in 2008 and, within a few years, became one of the top young talents in the game. He had just begun his career in the big leagues, playing in 80 games with the Cardinals this season. Among his career highlights was a dramatic home run in Game 2 of this year’s NLCS against the Giants. Most prospect evaluators considered Taveras to have superstar potential.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
This is crushing, awful news.
Absolutely awful news. My condolences go out to his family.
My condolences to his family. This is devastating news.
My heart just sunk after reading this. This is awful.
Oh my God. As a Cubs fan, and a fan of baseball, condolences go out to the family of Oscar and the whole Cardinal organization. He had such great potential…
My God no…I hope they didnt suffer.
I was looking forward to the Soler vs. Taveras combo for years. This just awful.
I’m stunned. Speechless. So young and full of potential. My heart goes out to his family, friends, and the Cards organization and fans. Terrible, terrible news.
I’m so sorry for them and their families. What horrible news.
I was thinking about his potential just a few hours ago. Dang…
My condolences to the family and team.. I could not believe it when I read it… So sad…
This is really so sad. I’ve been following him for years.
Rest In Peace
My god. This is tragic. Condolences to the Cardinals organization and the families of Taveras and his girlfriend.
Wow. I am at a loss for words. He was one of the Cardinals top prospects, deemed untouchable and now, this. Wow. God be with him, his gf and his family and loved ones.
How terrible.
Condolences to his family and the Cardinals organization. Such devasting news.
So much talent that we will never get to see. Prayers go out to his family and friends.
So sorry to hear this.
Such a shame, Don’t really know what else to say.
Unbelievable…
Wow…Absolutely floored. My condolences to the loved ones of all involved as well as the entire Cards organization and fans
My condolences to his family and friends. As a person his age…definitely makes you stop and think.
Why, he seemed like he was going to be a big part of the cardinals. These big crashes always affect prospects, rest in peace. Let GOD be with him and his Family and Friends.
Wow RIP
Awful news that’s devastating one of my favorite prospects
My thoughts and Prayers with the whole Taveras family….
I almost couldn’t tell my dad this. So difficult. Cards seem to have more players killed in accidents then other organizations. Condolences to his family, friends, teammates and the Cards organization. Go be with the Lord Oscar, and look after your family, friends and teammates. You’ll be a Cardinal for life.
This reminds me of the Nick Adenhart accident. So sad.
Awful news. 22 years old.
Wow… so very sad.
Reminds me of Nick Adenhart’s story a few years back.
22 years old….
Sadly 🙁
That’s such terrible news for fans of this game. I mourn for his family.
Wow I’m speechless right now, may he rest in peace. My condolences to his family
This is awful, it goes far beyond the baseball side, my condolences to his family.
So incredibly sad.
Just terrible. Follow a kid from when he’s 18 and then just like that, he’s gone. Thoughts are with Taveras’ and his girlfriend’s families.
Wow, awful news, my condolences. Almost reminds me of the Westmoreland news. Truly tragic.
Awful news. May Oscar and his girlfriend Rest in peace.
Awful news, so much potential. Rest in Peace
sad loss for the Cardinal Organization. RIP Oscar
I’m literally shaking right now, and I’m a Tigers fan. Haven’t felt like this since Robin Williams died. Terrible loss for baseball. RIP, and my condolences to the family.
My condolences to the Taveras family. Terrible Terrible news. He looked like a star in the making
This is very sad news. I hope I speak for all Cubs fans when I say, my condolences go out to his family and all of Cardinal Nation. So terrible and as some have said, he had great potential.
Yeah, it’s not even about baseball. Just sick to my stomach
Cubs fan here that agrees with you. This is horrible news, he had so much potential.
wow, that is horrible news. A shame, he had a bright future in MLB and his whole life ahead of him, condolences to both families involved. RIP
I’m honestly in shock. Only 22, he had his whole life in front of him. A special talent taken way too soon.
this makes me sad even as a Cubs fan. Condolences to the Family and friends of him and his girlfriend, and to his entire organization.
How tragic for his family and the baseball world. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family as well as his girl friends family.
This is just terrible news. My condolences go out to his family..
As a Mets fan, I have come to hate the Cardinals. But today, we all stand together as we mourn the death of this young man. He had such a bright future ahead of him, and my deepest condolences go to his family and friends.
omg for real sad for his family and the ppl that know him
Sad Sad news,had his whole life ahead of him
Whoa, this news absolutely floored me. To think this would never have happened if the Cards had gotten to the WS.
RIP
Had not thought of that yet.
What the hell? straight outta left field. Terrible
I don’t even know how someone is supposed to react to something like this. So many emotions, all of them terrible.
Regardless of what team you root for, this was a 22 year old kid with a bright future. Condolences to his friends and family and be careful on the road.
Such horrible news. Way too young to die. R.I.P.
im devastated right now im in total shock i know 1st hand how hard these boys down in DR work to reach the big leagues and to achieve your goal and then die in a blink of an eye hurts alot he was such a talent omg
Great reminder that baseball is a game. This is awful, crushing, and heart-breaking.
Thoughts and prayers for the Taveras family and friends and also to the family of his girlfriend
Terrible news!! My prayers are with his family.
Prayers out to his family, girlfriends family and to Cardinal nation!! Just shows how short and precious this life truly is! God have mercy on them!
wow really RIP Taveras
Diehard Cubs fan, but Oscar Taveras, RIP. Condolences to his family and St. Louis Cardinals organization. Terrible loss.
Nothing in life is guaranteed. Life is precious. Reminder that you have 1 life to live, so live it to the fullest, because you never know when it could come to an end. RIP Tavarez and his girlfriend.
RIP Taveras
Wow…I just found out like 10 minutes ago. Extremely shocking and sad news. Still can’t believe it.
feel like I’ve been punched in the gut. RIP Oscar. 🙁
Condolences to his family. How awful.
Damn. Even as a Dodger fan who despises the Cardinals, I am very sad. He had a very bright future, and I wish his family and the Cards the best of luck.
Wow, this is very tragic, may he rest in peace.
This is absolutely terrible. Just heard this during the game and I can’t believe it.
As a Cubs fan this is heartbreaking to watch a budding young star die so soon. Regardless of what team he plays for, he was an amazing talent and this was too soon to happen. My Condolences go out to his family & everyone involved.
Man, that’s crazy. Sad that this kid who had so much potential had to be taken from this world, just goes to show how life can be taken at anytime like Nick Adenhart… I send my condolences to the family of Taveras and the Cards organization, Taveras will be missed by all in baseball.
I am saddened beyond belief. What terrible news. My condolences to Mr. Taveras and his girlfriend’s friends and family, along with the Cardinals organization and all their great fans. Another sad tragedy to the Cardinals family. I was looking forward to seeing him play. Rest in peace.
I heard literally 45seconds before they announced it on the game, that’s just awful. I just turned 23 on the 20th makes me think how lucky I am to be alive right now.
I’m a die hard pirates fan and this made my heart sink. My condolences go to his family and the Cardinals organization. RIP
R.I.P. Oscar…Such sad news.
This might be the most shaken I’ve ever been over a death of someone I didn’t personally know. Maybe I’m being selfish because I’m a baseball fan, or maybe it’s just jarring to see someone so young, in peak physical condition, with such a bright future be suddenly gone. This is a huge loss. So incredibly sad.
So so sad
A reminder that those who entertain us and supply our lives with joy are so very human. What a tremendous loss for the game of baseball. Each and every person has something unique and vibrant to contribute to our world, and our game. Very sad that Taveras didn’t have longer to add his voice to history.
I had to read that headline about 3 or 4 times to make sure I wasn’t mistaken… This is a true tragedy for a young man who had nothing but the best ahead of him. Condolences go out to his family and the family of the young woman who passed away as well. Truly shocking and awful.
Condolences to the family
Terribly sad and unfortunate. 22 is way too young. I can’t imagine how devastating this must be for his family in DR.
Way to soon, RIP man
Wow, what an awful and tragic story.
This is just terrible.
May he RIP and his girlfriend as well.
I can’t even imagine, how sad this must be.
This is right up there with Nick Adenhart.
Wow. Gut punch. Was so excited to see his career. RIP Oscar.
Saddest part of the video linked in the story is the announcer saying at the end, “and Taveras, the biggest swing of his young big league life…” Seems so prescient now. Life is too short. RIP.
I have followed his career since 2011 and was so excited to see his career play out. I am shocked & heart broken that we will never get to see his greatness in the MLB.
But most of all I am heart broken for the Taveras family’s loss & the loss of a 22 year old young man & his girlfriend with their entire lives ahead of them. I did not know of his girlfriend but my heart goes out to her & her family as well. These kind of tragedies always seem to put things in perspective.
RIP Young Oscar Taveras…I can only imagine what could have been.
He was too young and too talented. My heart and prayers go out to the family and friends of him and his girlfriend.
OMG I just can not believe this! That is just not supposed to happen to someone so young and full of life. He was so talented. Let us pray for his family and for the family of his girlfriend!
Mattheny has now lost three of his teammates/players to tragic deaths. I can’t imagine that. The Cardinals have had too many tragedies recently. Three players dying in twelve years, just wow.
Who were the other 2???
Daryll Kile died in 2002 from a heart defect and Josh Hancock died in 2007 in a car accident. I forgot about Olivio who died in 1997 in a car accident as well, but I dont know if Mattheny played with him. Four active Cardinals players have died in the past 17 years.
I thought for a second after I posted and I thought about Kile but I didn’t remember if he played for the Cards. And I had no idea about Olivo or Hancock.
IIRC Mattheny and Kile were BFFs. I think Mattheny is the godfather of Kiles kids or something. To think three of the players on his team have died. These are supposed to be young, healthy kids.
Another we shouldn’t forget is Adenhart for Angels, 5 years ago. Imagine if he hadn’t died after his first career start. I wonder how good he would have been.
Matheny was never teammates with Josh Hancock..
Definitely high impact crash from the pictures. Side impact on passenger side. I am assuming another vehicle?
Anyways, its a tragedy
Terrible, never had his chance. So young.
Wow. Just wow.
Damn… I heard about this on Twitter over an hour ago when I saw someone random tweet something about it to Keith Law , googled Taveras’ name didn’t see anything didn’t believe it, figured it was a hoax like all of the ones we on Facebook. But damn..never got to see this kid play. That’s 2 youngsters in the past 5 years who have died after their 1st “season” in the MLB and whose potential we will never see reached. Taveras and Nick Adenhart.
This was shocking and sad to hear. Sympathies to Oscar’s family and teammates. As a Pirates fan, I was looking forward to several years of Polanco vs. Taveras comparisons and trash talk. I know the two of them were friends from winter ball.
Tragic… only 22 and so talented with a bright, bright future we’ll all be denied.
As a former collegiate baseball player, who at the ripe age of 26 still wish to this day that I could play baseball professionally, I can not explain how deeply this has impacted me. I feel so terrible for him, to be on the cusp of greatness. To be “The Guy”, I don’t know if he was religious, and I don’t know what comes after death, but I hope that he is getting to play baseball up in the sky somewhere and getting his chance to continuing his promising career.
This is terrible news this young man had such a bright future I pray for his family and friends in this time of need.
Beyond sad.
As a Pirates fan, I offer my deepest condolences to the entire Cardinals organization and all of Oscar’s family and friends.
The baseball world has lost a promising young man.
P.S. I hope this wasn’t alcohol-related.
I was kind of wondering the same thing.
I thought the driving was more mellow down there.
No elevated highways.
No one in a hurry.
Not like it is here, driving a million miles an hour just save five minutes of time.
Hang on there, chief. One thing is a more relaxed culture compared to yours (presumably). Another is translating that into the idea of “No one in a hurry” there. The truth is that wherever you find people with cars you’ll find some people who will speed in them – including in the Dominican and the rest of the Caribbean. A sad case in point is the death of former major leaguer, José Uribe, in a car accident (in the Dominican) while speeding. Human nature is the same everywhere.
From what I understand the roads there are in pretty rough shape.
Dominican reports say that witnesses said that Taveras was speeding during heavy rains, and that he lost control of the car and hit a tree. That is so awful.
Tonight both his Dominican team for winter ball (las Águilas Cibaeñas) and the team they were playing (los Tigres del Licey) held an on-field prayer/tribute to him, which is touching. Still…if only it hadn’t happened…
As a Bucs fan, I was looking forward to several years of Polanco v. Taveras comparisons. This is shocking and sad news. Tragic that he was only 22 with a great future ahead of him. Condolences to his family and teammates and friends.
This is not the type of news I wanted to see. I know the scout who found him. I’d bet anything he’s devastated as well. Condolences to their families, the players, the organization, and to all the St Louis fans.
I’m in absolute disbelief. Just reading this headline….I just wish this wasn’t true. I can’t even put it into words.
My heart, thoughts & prayers go out to Taveras’s friends, family (as well as his girlfriend’s), to the Cardinals fans & organization.
RIP Oscar
I’m terribly sorry for their families and Card fans worldwide. May he rest with Adenhart in the Hall of Fame of those that did not but undoubtedly could/should/would have enable us all to marvel at the spectacle that was their ability to play baseball.
So sad to see a young talent with star potential get cut down in his prime. Now oscar taveras will join every other young player that has died and will forever be in the what if category of talent who’s lives have been cut short so suddenly. My thoughts and prayers go out to all the loved ones who were affected by this and all other tragedies.
If the Cards beat the Giants he would have been playing ball now. Strange how seemingly inconsequential things can play so large
He’ll have to be remembered for what he could have been.
Can’t forget Greg Halman too
My heart sank when I read this. My deepest condolences go to the families of both young adults.
sincere condolences to the entire Taveras, Arvelo, and Cardinals families
Sometimes baseball isn’t the most important thing. Condolences to both families, the Cardinals organization and everyone who knew them both. The world lost two people far too young.
A very horrific accident, 22 years old is way too young to go!
I’m in Australia now and have been away from all media til I opened this app on my phone. I’m shocked beyond belief. I’m sorry for this young couple and their families. I can’t believe this news is real.
That is terrible. As others have said, my condolences to the family.
A reminder that death does not discriminate. This tragedy can happen to anyone at any time, at any age. Live each day as your fullest and without regret. My condolences to the family and friends involved.
Nobody deserves to die that young..
i know accidents happen in life. But this young man had so much promise to fulfill. Oh boy, what a sad thing.
Oh my goodness, this is terrible. Thoughts and prayers go out to his family, his girlfriend’s family, and all their friends and loved ones.
If the car veered off the road it is likely speeding was involved, and looking at the car there is no question it was a high speed impact.
if it turns out alcohol was involved, and we don’t know this, then maybe MLB will use this to get suspensions for DUI’s on the table. Probably won’t eliminate this, but those that can afford it will probably think about hiring a driver when they go out to party. At least with PED’s only the player gets hurt.
regardless of his potential so sad to see not only a young ball player, but a young man have his life cut short
I’ll always remember that home run he hit in the NLCS. Devastating is an understatement. Baseball lost a future all star.
Too sad. Reminded of Nick Adenhart – star to be with the Angels killed by drunk driver after making his first MLB start about 5 years ago – condolences to all involved
Another tragedy for the Cardinal Family involving the death of an active player. Oscar didn’t have much time to show his full potential in the big leagues, but he will sure be welcome for an eternity of excellence on the Field of Dreams.
Just a terrible, terrible tragedy. My prayers go out to the family of Mr. Taveras during what must be an incredibly tough time. Just a reminder to how short and unfair life can be.
Its a sad day for all of MLB, His family and friends, his GF’s parents and fans of Baseball in General… He was definitely, I as a baseball fan, have been watching and was looking forward to watch his star rise. My condolences go out to all that cared for him. R.I.P. Oscar Taveras. Gone but won’t be forgotten.
Just in total shock, very sad.
I am very sad and heatbreaking after see break news, I feel not know how say. But I will never forget about Oscar Taveras. Rip Taveras. And also pray to his family and his girlfriend’s family too.
Sorry to his family and friends for their loss
Sad, sad news, God bless both your souls.
A very sad day in baseball
Cub guy here too…just wanted to say that as a fan of minor leagues, scouting, development, amateur players and just young prospects in general — we lost a wonderful individual. I was eager to watch him develop into a major league star, albeit for my rival Cardinals. It’s just a tragedy all around. My thoughts go out to his fam and the Cardinals organization and fans. This just sucks.
I saw so many good news about this kid, a top prospect ready to major league action and now he´s dead, unbelievable, RIP Oscar
This Giants fan is truly saddened by this awful news. What a loss to his family and friends, to the Dominican Republic, to the St Louis Cards, and to baseball as a whole.
I almost cried when I saw this. This is absolutely terrible news and my thoughts go out to his family and friends.
Hearing this really broke my heart, prayers go out to the families of him and his girlfriend.
Wow, That is shocking and a shame.
Rest in Peace Oscar.
22 and 18, too dang young. All the best to those families they are gonna need it.
The day after doesn’t get any easier. So much talent. I’ve tracked him since he was a teen. He will be missed by many. RIP OT18.
🙁 condolences to Oscar’s family, friends and his girlfriend’s as well.
Horrible for baseball and his and his girlfriend’s family. Wonder if alcohol was involved at all? If so maybe MLB might reconsider the 100s of millions it makes off of Big Alcohol, but I doubt it.
Prayers to the Taveras Family. From a Boston can who’s seen the Len Bias, Normand Leveille, and Tony Conigliaro tragedies, St.Louis has our sympathies!
Such sad news. Great young man taken way too soon. Condolences to his family, his fans, and the entire Cardinals organization. Very sad day, that kid had endless potential.
Beyond Sad.
I remember when he hit that home run in the post season this year. I recall taking an extra moment to watch him round the bases. I’m very glad I did. RIP
A solemn reminder that at anytime the end can come. Be prepared.
I just came across this article again…its been five months and I’m still devastated by it…its horrible to know this happened…crushing for all of MLB to have lost such an incredible talent but more importantly this goes beyond baseball. Whether he was in the wrong or not, there is a serious problem in this sport with drugs and alcohol. This organization alone has lost (I think) five active players in the last 10 years to deaths relating to these substances. Its so awful 🙁