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RIP Oscar Taveras, We Hardly Knew You
By Tom Smith
Oct 12, 2014; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Cardinals pinch hitter Oscar Taveras (18) celebrates after hitting a solo home run against the San Francisco Giants during the 7th inning in game two of the 2014 NLCS playoff baseball game at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Oscar Taveras. RIP. We hardly knew you.
The one thing about baseball players is that they seem invincible. I have been lucky enough to be around a few and it’s hard thinking anything bad will happen to them, other than maybe going hitless in a big series or something. Taveras dominated the minor leagues. He was the jewel of the Cardinals system, making the postseason roster. His pinch hit blast against the Cardinals made him the youngest player in MLB history to knock a pinch hit homer.
The St. Louis Cardinals have had some insane talent come through their system, Taveras was the next one. We mourn for his family, his friends, his teammates. It’s unbelievable.
Oscar Taveras died in a car crash with his girlfriend this evening.
Buster Posey learned about Oscar Taveras's death in the fourth inning. "My first thought was, this game is not important," he said.
— Adam Kilgore (@AdamKilgoreWP) October 27, 2014
Juan Perez hit a double for his buddy…off Wade Davis! After this…
This is so sad: Juan Perez saw a picture of his friend Oscar Taveras' body from the morgue midgame. Somehow composed himself to play.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) October 27, 2014
Players to hit an XBH off Wade Davis in 2014: Conor Gillaspie, Adam Eaton, Tyler Flowers, Kurt Suzuki, Joe Mauer, Juan Perez. Weird list.
— Dave Cameron (@OneDaveCameron) October 27, 2014
.@ErinAndrews tweeted Juan Perez was in tears 2 hours ago when hearing of Oscar Taveras' passing. Perez just had the biggest hit of his life
— Joe Block (@joe_block) October 27, 2014
That Double was 4 U Oscar! I'll remember the Good Times. God Bless U Bro. I'll miss U man. My condolences! pic.twitter.com/vjQaZiymaF
— Juan Carlos Perez🦂 (@juan_perez24) October 27, 2014
Here is Taveras hitting a single against the Bucs back in August.
Aug 26, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; St. Louis Cardinals right fielder Oscar Taveras (18) singles against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the seventh inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports