One Year Ago Today: Oscar Tavares Passes Away

On this day in 2014 the St. Louis Cardinals top prospect Oscar Taveras and girlfriend Edilia Arvelo passed away in a car accident in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic. Taveras was 22-years old and taken far too young from this world. RIP to him and once again let's watch the St. Louis Cardinals tribute to him by clicking the video above. 

Juan Perez & the Oscar Taveras Link

We all learned late Sunday evening that St. Louis Cardinals centerfielder Oscar Taveras died in a car accident in his native Dominican Republic and it sent shockwaves throughout Major League Baseball. I found it interesting reading USA Today yesterday morning about the Juan Perez and Taveras link and how Perez may have used the news to get the biggest hit of his career.

Set the stage, it’s the fifth inning and the Giants hitting coach Hensley Meulens went into the clubhouse to find Perez crying. Perez was a friend and former teammate of Taveras in the Dominican Winter League and was so upset by the news he threw his phone away when the news was confirmed. Three innings later Perez used this emotion to get a two run double off the untouchable Wade Davis en route to a 5-0 victory for San Francisco.

Perez was noticeably upset and overwhelmed by the news when speaking to reporters after the game and was quoted as saying: 

"I put it out of my mind. By the time I was in the game, I put it away,'' he said, stopping to compose himself. "You never know what may happen. That young man was here two weeks ago and now he has just died in an accident. It's so sad. I still can't believe it happened.''

Perez batted just .170 in 100 at bats this season and had just one hit in 18 at bats with runners in scoring position this season and came up against a Royals pitcher in Davis that had been virtually untouchable this offseason making the deep double even more unlikely. Perez dedicated that double to Taveras as he posted a picture of himself and Taveras giving a high-10 during an Aguilas game with the English and Spanish caption “that double was for you, my brother! My soul misses you. Go with God. I love you. My condolences to the Tavares family.”

Quick Hit: My Tribute to Oscar Taveras

I can't pretend like I was a fan of Oscar Taveras, or even of the St. Louis Cardinals, but nonetheless Sunday night was a sad night for Major League Baseball, the players, and the fans. Oscar Taveras was 22 years old when he died and that is far too young, baseball talent or not. Rest in peace Oscar and our condolences go out to his family, friends, teammates, and everyone involved.

He started from the bottom....

And then he was here...

And then here....

And finished here... RIP. 

Oscar Taveras Killed In Car Accident

Oscar Taveras, who made his MLB debut this season as an outfielder for the St. Louis Cardinals, died in a car accident. His girlfriend was with him, and she too passed away.

While he struggled in his first season, Taveras was ranked as the 3rd best prospect in baseball by Baseball America, MLB.com, and Baseball Prospectus. I'm sure the 22 year-old had many great years ahead of him in baseball.

We here at The Greedy Pinstripes are deeply saddened by this loss, and pass on our condolences to all those affected by this tragedy.