In Memorium: Oscar Taveras


You're never prepared to hear about the unexpected death of a 22 year old. That's the age when life's just beginning; school or career prep is in the rear view mirror. And that's why the news Sunday night of the death of the young Cardinals outfielder Oscar Taveras was so shocking.

Considered one of the Top 5 prospects in all of baseball, the Dominican outfielder made his major league debut last summer. And while he didn't have the immediate impact of a Mike Trout or Jose Abreu, big things were predicted for him.

When I photographed him during the Cardinals/Phillies game in late August, I assumed that it was the first of many times I'd watch this good looking lefthanded hitter. But it was not to be.

Word came out during game five of the World Series that Taveras was killed in a car wreck in his native country.

Amidst all the joy of baseball's greatest event is the ache, the sadness, the realization that young life of promise had ended before it really had the chance to take root. So take a moment, hug your kids; text or call them if they no longer live at home. Life is supposed to get rolling at 22, not crash to a sudden halt.

I'll pay tribute here to Oscar Tavares -- and let his presence on the green grass of summer be the way we remember him.


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