For the St. Louis Cardinals, losing in the NLCS this post season was devastating enough. Just two weeks later, losing one of their own is a tragedy far worse than anyone can imagine.
Living in St. Louis, I was born and raised with the Redbirds. I grew up listening to Jack Buck’s voice, watching Big Mac go yard at the bottom of the ninth, hearing stories of Stan the Man and the teams of the Gussie Busch era. It was my father and grandfather’s daily routine of reading the Cardinals in the sports page every morning that sparked my passion for writing. I’ve witnessed two World Series Championships, four National League Pennants, nine Central Division Titles, and three Wild Card Berths. I’ve lived through two Cardinal ballparks, seen the greatest wins and the toughest losses in both. In short, Cardinal baseball runs deep inside of me; it’s apart of my life.
A Baseball City Mourns: St. Louis Cardinal Oscar Taveras Dies
I was seven years old when Cardinal pitcher Darryl Kile died unexpectedly of a heart attack in his hotel room. At eleven, I watched pitcher Josh Hancock throw his last game the day before he was killed in a motor vehicle accident. Last year, the Cardinal family lost one of it’s greatest heroes when Stan “the Man” Musial passed away in January. Having lived through all of these losses, I’ve come to realize that it gets more devastating by each one.
Last night, the Cardinal Family tragically lost one of it’s own. 22-year-old outfielder Oscar Taveras died in a car accident in his native Dominican Republic. Taveras was driving his 2014 Chevrolet Camaro at the time of the crash about 130 miles north of Santo Domingo. Taveras’ girlfriend, Edilla Arvelo, 18, also died in the crash.
“I simply can’t believe it,” Cardinals GM John Mozeliak said. “I first met Oscar when he was 16 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.
Taveras was just a teenager when he signed with the Cardinal organization as an international free agent in 2008. Before entering this past season, the outfielder was ranked as the No. 3 overall prospect by MLB.com and Baseball America. This status was undoubtedly true, as Taveras was regarded as the future middle-of-the-order hitter for St. Louis. With the trade of outfielder Allen Craig this past season, he acquired the position right field; his impact, immediate. Taveras recorded a home run as his first major league hit in his first major league game.
The Cardinals and Major League Baseball saw the glimpse of Taveras’ potential this season especially. The 22-year-old debuted with the Cardinals this season and batted .239 in just 80 games. Following an impressive regular season with numbers to show, on October 12, Taveras had a crucial pinch-hit home run in the National League Championship Series against the Giants. Soon, the popular talk of Taveras as one of baseball’s “next greats” gained pace, only to then be lost by such a tragedy.
Cardinals’ manager Mike Matheny spoke to the public in a personal press release early this morning.
“I was asked last night to give some words regarding the tragic death of Oscar Taveras, but I just simply couldn’t.
First of all, it felt like a bad dream that could not be real, and when reality kicked in, my words didn’t even seem to make sense. To say this is a horrible loss of a life ended too soon would be an understatement. To talk about the potential of his abilities seemed to be untimely. All I wanted to do was get the guys together and be with our baseball family. I know the hurt that comes along with buying into the brotherhood of a baseball team. That hurt is just as powerful as the joys that come with this life. Not to say it is even close to the depth of pain his true family is going through, but the pain itself is just as real. The ache is deep because the relationships were deep, and forged through time and trials.
To the many fans who have already reached out with condolences, and to the many more who are in mourning, thank you for taking these players in, like they are one of your own. This level of care is what sets our fans apart.
In my opinion, the word “love” is the most misused, and misunderstood word in the English language. It is not popular for men to use this word, and even less popular for athletes. But, there is not a more accurate word for how a group of men share a deep and genuine concern for each other. We loved Oscar, and he loved us. That is what a team does, that is what a family does. You will be missed, Oscar.”
Undoubtedly destined to be one of not only St. Louis, but baseball’s greats, the tragic loss of Oscar Taveras goes far beyond the potential he was unable to reach.
“I am going to always remember how much he really did love the game,” said outfielder Jon Jay.
Tim Kurkjuan said it best, “Whenever a player dies, it has a devastating affect on a team and a city, that is especially true for the Cardinals who are so involved in the lives and careers of their players. And a city, such as St. Louis, where Cardinal Baseball is more than important; it is intimate.”
That quote can only be truly understood by those of Cardinal Baseball; the players, the fans, the coaching staff, the entire city. We as a city understand it. We understand it because we live it. It’s not just about being the baseball city that rivals all others. For us, it’s more than wins and losses, a post season or not. It’s the history, the pride, the unity, the family; it’s the connection each of us has.
We’re a city with baseball in its roots. We honor the legends with far more than the statues out front of the stadium we call home. We remember the legends of our history with the way we play the game. St. Louis certainly won’t forget the name Oscar Taveras.
If I had to guess how it went today in heaven; “Stan, I’d like you to meet Oscar Taveras…”
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