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"Of all sad words of tongue and pen, the saddest are these, 'It might have been.'"
- John Whittier
Everything I think of to say just seems meaningless and insignificant, so I shall just let Whittier say it for me. Oscar Taveras was an outstanding baseball talent, a person's whose career many of us were looking forward to. But more importantly, he was a son, a father, a friend, and a teammate. He was twenty-two years old with his whole life ahead of him, and he was taken too soon. An outpouring of thoughts and condolences were expressed on Twitter and around the web.
The last conversation I had about Taveras ended with me saying "Just you wait". Baseball has always been beautiful, but cruel, causing so much joy in the triumphs of victory, and so much pain in the bitterness of defeat. Sometimes that pain extends beyond the foul lines and reminds us just how unimportant a game really is. On October 26, it was the cold, harsh realities of life colliding with the game we love, the game that introduced us to Oscar Taveras, to deliver this sickening blow.
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- Remembering Oscar, MLB.com
Thoughts and prayers to the Oscar Taveras' family! Awful, awful news! #RIP
— Enrique Hernandez (@kikehndez) October 27, 2014
Shocked to hear about Cardinals">@Cardinals OF Oscar Taveras and girlfriend...Praying for their family and friends.
— andrew mccutchen (@TheCUTCH22) October 27, 2014
Sick to my stomach at dinner. A great ballplayer and person taken at 22. RIP oscar taveras and prayers to your family
— Jarred Cosart (@JarredCosart) October 27, 2014
Thoughts and prayers to the family and friends of Oscar Taveras. Tragic news
— Daniel Hudson (@DHuddy41) October 27, 2014
Taveras tipped his hat to the crowd as he walked off the field after the Cardinals were eliminated in the NLCS. RIP. pic.twitter.com/0HxLBbNLJf
— Chris Cotillo (@ChrisCotillo) October 27, 2014
— Kyle McClellan (@Brace4Impact46) October 27, 2014
Always a smile, at this year's Winter Warmup #OscarTaveras #Cardinals pic.twitter.com/nqh7EFh481
— Robert Cohen (@kodacohen) October 27, 2014
Dominican players in a Winter League game pray for Oscar Taveras' soul Licey's Tigers and Cibao Eagles. pic.twitter.com/hEOubuN0Fy
— LigaDom.com (@LigaDomcom) October 27, 2014
Heartbreaking news. Oscar Taveras has died in a car accident. Our thoughts go out to his family and loved ones. pic.twitter.com/6hnE2hQTdA
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) October 27, 2014
RIP to Oscar Taveras... So saddened to hear about this. Praying for his family and friends thru this time.
— Charlie Culberson (@cculberson23) October 27, 2014
Our thoughts are with the family of Oscar Taveras and the @Cardinals organization.
— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) October 27, 2014
Wow, heartbraking to hear about the loss of Oscar Taveras..Tell your loved ones how much you love them, never know when theyll be gone #RIP
— Addison reed (@Areed43) October 27, 2014
@dgoold : This is 3rd sudden death of a Cardinal in past 14 years as Cards' Taveras killed in accident: http://t.co/4ZCSJiRwnB via @STLtoday
— Roger Hensley (@stlhensley) October 27, 2014
My kid loved your swing, Oscar. My family will miss you. https://t.co/uxtLinWNri
— Dayn Perry (@daynperry) October 27, 2014
#RIP Sadden by the lost of one of our baseball family members, Oscar Taveras! My prayers go out to his family & the @Cardinals organization
— Brandon Phillips (@DatDudeBP) October 27, 2014
Wow just got the news about my friend.. Rest In Heaven Oscar. Praying for the Family #RIPOscarTavares pic.twitter.com/9T10AEJUDL
— Adron Chambers (@adron_chambers) October 27, 2014
Words cannot describe the grief that accompanies such a tragedy. Prayers of comfort to the Taveras family and friends.
— Tom Herr (@TomHerrBaseball) October 27, 2014
We are incredibly sad to hear of the passing of Oscar Taveras. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family & the @Cardinals organization.
— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) October 27, 2014
Heartbreaking news. Thoughts and prayers go out to the Taveras family and @Cardinals organization.
— Chris Johnson (@C_Johnson28) October 27, 2014
Heartbreaker. Oscar Taveras has passed away after a car accident in the Dominican Republic. Taveras was 22. https://t.co/nwxf2p0Yye
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) October 27, 2014
Video: #MLBTonight special report on the passing of @Cardinals OF Oscar Taveras. http://t.co/n6FgVYUP5p
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) October 27, 2014
His first hit in the MLB and his last hit were both home runs, what a stat to leave your legacy with #RIPOscarTaveras
— Dylan Groce (@dylangr0ce) October 27, 2014
Shocked to hear about Oscar's passing! Very sad and praying for his family! Awesome player but most of all a great person! #RIPOscarTaveras
— Corey Dickerson (@MCoreyDickerson) October 27, 2014
Very sad news about #OscarTaveras today #RIPOscarTaveras my condolences go out to his family and his loved ones
— Jose Bautista (@JoeyBats19) October 27, 2014
Our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Oscar Taveras and to the @Cardinals organization and its fans. Rest in peace.
— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) October 27, 2014
Selig: "With heavy hearts, tonight we play Game Five of the 2014 World Series in the memory of these two young people."
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) October 27, 2014
Several Giants players have come over to my TV in dugout when heard news abt Taveras..Juan Perez in tears in dugout..
— Erin Andrews (@ErinAndrews) 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
Posey on Taveras tragedy: "I heard about it in 4th, had a sinking feeling in my gut. My 1st thought was, ‘This game is not that important.'
— Jenifer Langosch (@LangoschMLB) October 27, 2014
He had such a great future ahead of him. #RIPOscarTaveras pic.twitter.com/DhxqyVOy3j
— Dugout Legends (@DugoutLegends) October 27, 2014
Prayers to Oscar Taveras and his family puts things in perspective wins loses World Series are nice but in the end what does it matter
— Juan Pierre (@JPBeastMode) October 27, 2014
R.I.P Oscar Taveras ..... Condolences to his family
— Sir Didi Gregorius (@DidiG18) October 27, 2014
R.I.P homie..... pic.twitter.com/M3E4LSW7Wh
— David Ortiz (@davidortiz) October 27, 2014
So sad to hear the news from Oscar Taveras, RIP. Such a great player with a huge future in front of him.
— Ender Inciarte (@Enderdavid18) October 27, 2014
We send our thoughts & prayers to the families of Oscar Taveras and his girlfriend, as well as the entire @Cardinals organization.
— Phillies (@Phillies) October 27, 2014
An outpouring of thoughts and prayers come in from the entire baseball family: http://t.co/KJricG4c77 pic.twitter.com/UOa27icNTU
— MLB (@MLB) October 27, 2014
. @ARTravs manager Phillip Wellman had a unique bond with Oscar Taveras and had very poignant words on his passing. http://t.co/9D0dTSeXGq
— MiLB.com (@MiLB) October 27, 2014
Oscar Taveras just wanted to hit. A column remembering the Cardinals outfielder, who died far too young Sunday at 22: http://t.co/Mzo8fhYol9
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) October 27, 2014
Terribly sad news about Oscar Taveras! Praying for his family in this tragic time!
— James Laurinaitis (@JLaurinaitis55) October 27, 2014
RIP Oscar
— Chris Long (@JOEL9ONE) October 27, 2014
Horrible news. RIP Oscar Taveras. #Rams fans dealing with the game loss. Thoughts with Cardinals fans dealing with real loss tonight.
— TurfShowTimes (@TurfShowTimes) October 27, 2014
We are deeply saddened by the tragic news about Oscar Taveras. Our thoughts are with the Taveras family and the Cardinals organization.
— St. Louis Blues (@StLouisBlues) October 27, 2014
Thoughts and prayers go out to Oscar Taveras' family, friends and teammates through this tough time.
— TJ Oshie (@OSH74) October 27, 2014
The Redbirds and St. Louis Cardinals mourn the loss of Oscar Taveras: http://t.co/W3o5JTfOeP pic.twitter.com/ePRC5pmUyQ
— Memphis Redbirds (@memphisredbirds) October 27, 2014
Statement from Commissioner Selig on the passing of Cardinals OF Oscar Taveras: pic.twitter.com/DnkrMUywed
— MLB Public Relations (@MLB_PR) October 27, 2014
Sad night in Cardinal Nation. We lost a real talent in Oscar Taveras, Part of Cardinal future. God bless him and his family. Sad. #STLCards
— Ozzie Smith (@STLWizard) October 27, 2014
Sad.
— Rick Horton (@RickyH49) October 27, 2014
Oscar being interviewed after homering in first MLB game. We thought we'd see his smile for years to come. #STLCards pic.twitter.com/qUcTg8FWvu
— Jim Hayes (@TheCatOnFox) October 27, 2014
Oscar Taveras was always a joy to be around, even if he did insist on calling me ma'am (against my wishes): http://t.co/0PI5SUnzYt
— Jenifer Langosch (@LangoschMLB) October 27, 2014
.@Cardinals GM John Mozeliak says, "I simply can’t believe it" about the passing of Oscar Taveras #STLCards
— KMOXSports (@KMOXSports) October 27, 2014
Life doesn't seem fair sometimes. RIP oscar Tavares I pray for his family and teammates
— chris duncan (@chrisduncan11) October 27, 2014
Incredibly sad to hear the news of Oscar Taveras. Awful.
— Dan McLaughlin (@DannyMacTV) October 27, 2014
Lost for words right now. Praying for his family and friends. #RIPOscarTaveras
— Keith Butler (@4Butler4) October 27, 2014
My thoughts and prayers go out to Oscar's family. He was a great friend and teammate. Its hard for me to believe #RIPOscarTaveras
— Tommy Pham (@TphamLV) October 27, 2014
Words cant explain the type of person we lost yesterday a kid who had nothing but a bright future ahead of him RIP OT pic.twitter.com/j13TSRj1CQ
— Alex Reyes (@AlexReyes_67) October 27, 2014
So sad to hear about Oscar. My prayers go out to his family. In complete shock.. So sad.. Life isn't fair
— Randal Grichuk (@RGrich15) October 27, 2014
My heart goes out to Oscar and his girlfriend's family. We lost a great teammate and a great person today! #CardinalNation
— David Aardsma (@TheDA53) October 27, 2014
Wow! My heart truly hurts to hear the passing of Oscar! I've played with him every year and we truly lost a great person! #RIPOscarTaveras
— Kolten Wong (@KoltenWong) October 27, 2014
RIP you will be missed buddy pic.twitter.com/9svYttuPDo
— Kolten Wong (@KoltenWong) October 27, 2014
Still can't believe this. We just have to look at all the positive things he did accomplish. You will be missed. pic.twitter.com/SDowKy3Yh8
— Jordan Swagerty (@JordanSwagerty) October 27, 2014
Tragic news about oscar and girlfriend. Prayers for both families. His influence on his teammates and the organization won't be forgotten.
— Trevor Rosenthal (@TrevRosenthal) October 27, 2014
Last 30 minutes I've been sick to my stomach. Keep thinking about Oscar's big smile in the dugout whenever we made a big play/got a big hit
— Pat Neshek (@PatNeshek) October 27, 2014
Oscar was the last teammate I saw in St. L.
— Pat Neshek (@PatNeshek) October 27, 2014
I joked with him since our apartments were next to each other about how he could fit nearly 12 dozen bats in his car.
— Pat Neshek (@PatNeshek) October 27, 2014
I'm just having a tough time with this, my thoughts are with his family & friends
— Pat Neshek (@PatNeshek) October 27, 2014
Oscar was family. God blessed me with the opportunity to play with a truly special teammate and friend. Speechless. #ripOscar #GodsPlan
— Xavier Scruggs (@Xavier_Scruggs) October 27, 2014
RIP Brother. You were an amazing teammate and friend, and your passion will always be remembered! pic.twitter.com/esFOTlWnBB
— Marco Gonzales (@MarcoGonzales_) October 27, 2014
My Prayers are with your Family .. A life taken too soon http://t.co/SYxDYkCmSV
— Jon Jay (@jonjayU) October 27, 2014
Heart hurts loosing Oscar. I will always remember that smile. Prayers for both families through this tough time. #OT18
— Shelby C Miller (@ShelbyMiller19) October 27, 2014
Wow that is so sad and just terrible. Rest in peace Oscar. You Will be Missed.
— Joseph Kelly Jr. (@JosephKellyJr) October 27, 2014
Can't believe the news. Will always remember his first home run! Unbelievable guy #ripOscar pic.twitter.com/EZMW97eDIV
— Michael Wacha (@MichaelWacha) October 27, 2014
Absolute Tragedy.. My prayers go out to Oscar Taveras family.
— Matt Carpenter (@MattCarp13) October 27, 2014
My condolences to Oscar Taveras family. This is a sad day. Heartbreaking news!! pic.twitter.com/8jYmBQmScT
— Yadier Molina (@Yadimolina04) October 27, 2014
Jamas tendre otro hermano como tu? Never will have another broth like you... OT for ever no mor pic.twitter.com/IQJX3zNQn3
— Carlos Martinez (@Tsunamy27) October 27, 2014
RIP Oscar. #stlcards https://t.co/T8y2Nt45cF via @vine
— VanFrankenstein (@VanHicklestein) October 27, 2014
Just got home from my 2 hour drive. My mom set this up for me. My whole family loved Oscar Taveras. pic.twitter.com/gPJrFLmNuG
— Cade4ISU (@Cade4ISU) October 27, 2014
I wrote about Oscar Taveras because ... well, I don't know why but I just needed to work my way through it. http://t.co/fv1dzjX1bw
— Will Leitch (@williamfleitch) October 27, 2014
— Drew Silva (@drewsilv) October 27, 2014
My first experience with a press pass, I shadowed @dgoold as he interviewed Oscar Taveras. I fumbled out a dumb question. Oscar was so nice.
— Drew Silva (@drewsilv) October 27, 2014
"Once there were brook trout in the streams in the mountains. You could see them standing in the amber current." pic.twitter.com/BS3K1cqofi
— Drew Silva (@drewsilv) July 22, 2014
Cardinals fans pay tribute to Oscar Taveras outside Busch Stadium. #kmov pic.twitter.com/yi8Kbc0svm
— Matt Sczesny KMOV (@KMOVMatt) October 27, 2014
Taveras got to live his dream, if only for a tiny while. It's not much, but it's something.
— spants (@spants) October 27, 2014
I will never forget these three. All perfectly timed. [http://t.co/F87Gwb5fBi] [http://t.co/9fr1oXRtHL] [http://t.co/ffs8aK5LJ8]
— EL MAQUINO (@elmaquino) October 27, 2014
...First on his debut, second the day Craig got traded, third when he finally got a chance in the postseason.
— EL MAQUINO (@elmaquino) October 27, 2014
Man... Nobody in this picture should be dead. Life is stupid. pic.twitter.com/LqkVX2ipzm
— alex fritz (@boxcar_fritz) October 27, 2014
It breaks your heart. It is designed to break your heart. pic.twitter.com/WrCtMNQDsO
— Tom Steele (@tomsteele) October 27, 2014
Oscar Taveras was only able to grace this Earth for 22 years. That's not fair. At all. Far too young. Rest in peace.
— stlCupofJoe (@stlCupofJoe) October 27, 2014
Loss of a life so young brings me sadness, but grief is for those closest to him. My thoughts go out to family and friends of Oscar Taveras.
— Craig Edwards (@craigjedwards) October 27, 2014
Thank you God! My first postseason! pic.twitter.com/LNhbpY7pvp
— Oscar Taveras (@el_fenomeno_18) September 28, 2014
Uussss pic.twitter.com/6uaalVroxS
— Oscar Taveras (@el_fenomeno_18) September 29, 2014
Enfocao en lo mio! Ready pa los playoff! pic.twitter.com/uMbDYiqSLO
— Oscar Taveras (@el_fenomeno_18) September 29, 2014
It’s time to perform under the bright lights of October. #PUSHTHEGAME
— Oscar Taveras (@el_fenomeno_18) October 3, 2014
#NLCS!! pic.twitter.com/gVq4wjOzYk
— Oscar Taveras (@el_fenomeno_18) October 8, 2014
Oscar's last tweet:
Thanks for all the fan support!
— Oscar Taveras (@el_fenomeno_18) October 13, 2014
No, Oscar. Thank you.