The St. Louis Cardinals outstanding hitter and outfielder, 22-year-old Oscar Taveras, died in a tragic car crash on Sunday, Oct. 26. According to records, the crash happened on a highway between the beaches of Sosua and Cabarete  in Puerto Plata, in his native Dominican Republic. National police spokesman said that Taveras lost control over his vehicle and went of the road. Taveras’ 18-year-old girlfriend, Edilia Arvelo, was in the car and died with him. Officials are investigating the scene, although local police believe that rainy conditions may have caused the wreck.

Oscar may have been a rookie but he was still a St. Louis Cardinal and many loved him for his passion for the game.

“He was just starting out in his career and had his whole career ahead of him. The Cardinals had a lot of potential with him,” said ACHS sophomore and Cardinals fan, Paige Hope.  “I went to a game, when he was up to bat he hit a home run and the crowd went wild.”

Even though Taveras was a rookie, he was a rising star. He recently hit a home run during Game Two of the National League Championship Series against the San Francisco Giants. Taveras  hit .239 with three home runs and 22 RBI’s in 80 games for the NL Central Champions. Taveras was a player with great potential and will be truly missed.