St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Oscar Taveras died in a fatal car accident, according to reports coming out of the Dominican Republic on Sunday. The news has since been confirmed by Taveras' agent. A native of Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, Taveras was 22 years old.
Oscar Taveras dies in a car accident
Oscar Taveras has reportedly passed away in a fatal car accident in his native country.
Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
“Obviously, we have deep condolences to his family. We are still waiting for more details before issuing a full statement,” Cardinals GM John Mozeliak said initially to beat writer Jenifer Langosch from his home on Sunday evening. The team later issued a statement with Cardinals chairman Bill DeWitt Jr. saying “we are all stunned and deeply saddened by the tragic loss.”
Taveras was reportedly driving on a highway from Sosua, a small town located near his hometown in Puerto Plata. Further details aren’t known, but his girlfriend was reportedly killed in the tragic accident as well.
Taveras was originally signed by St. Louis as an amateur free agent out of the Dominican Republic in 2008. He developed into one of the most well regarded prospects in baseball while rising through the Cardinals’ organization, eventually making his MLB debut with the club this year.
The outfielder appeared in 80 regular season games with the Cardinals, batting .239/.278/.312 over 248 plate appearances, then appeared in seven games during the team's postseason run. His pinch-hit, game-tying home run in Game 2 of the NLCS against the San Francisco Giants was one of the big highlights of the season and his career.
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