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Sad news rocked the baseball community this fall. Cardinals outfielder Oscar Taveras was tragically killed in a car accident. Taveras was driving with his girlfriend Edilia Arvelo in the Dominican Republic, his native country. Allegedly Taveras was drunk at the time of the crash, registering a blood alcohol level five times the legal limit.
Despite only being a rookie, he made his presence felt immediately. He hit a game-tying pinch hit home run during the second game of the National League Championship Series. He was already becoming a beloved figure in the city of St. Louis. “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.”
Multiple MLB players tweeted their condolences to the family and shared fond memories of the young star in the making. Giants outfielder Juan Perez knew Taveras personally and after hearing the news said, “I know his family pretty good. I know his mom, his dad, his brothers. We were really close. We played together in Winter Ball. It’s a huge loss, not only for all his family, for all his teammates and the people that care about him.”
RIP Oscar Taveras and Edilia Arvelo.
