Oscar Taveras Will Never Be Forgotten

The 22-year-old phenom had a sweet swing and a smile that was infectious. That’s what will initially always be remembered about Oscar Taveras. Then you’ll be remember Sunday and wonder what could have been.

Oscar Taveras was killed Sunday in a car accident, along with his 18-year-old girlfriend Edilia Arvelo, in Puero Plata in the Domincan Republic. Along with the young couple taken, was that of a baseball career with so much promise. Family, friends and teammates lost their son, buddy and brother. Edilia’s family lost their young daughter who had her whole life ahead of her.

More from St Louis Cardinals News

• Cardinals Rumors: 3 pros and cons of signing Carlos Rodon
• Cardinals: Here is Willson Contreras’ first message for St. Louis fans
• How do the St. Louis Cardinals stack up with Willson Contreras?
• Cardinals: The insane asking price the Athletics had for Sean Murphy
• St. Louis Cardinals: Ask me anything with Josh Jacobs – 12/8

It isn’t fair. Life isn’t fair.

Remember his first hit as a St. Louis Cardinal. A rainy day turned a little bit brighter with that sweet swing and the crack of the bat. And his grin.

And then. Remember his last hit as a St. Louis Cardinal. A homer you knew was hitting the right field seats at Busch as soon as he swung. It was beautiful. Just as his smile was in the dugout as his teammates congratulated him.

His first and last hits with the Cardinals were home runs. How sweet is THAT that we get that memory of him?

Much was said about Taveras and his future with St. Louis. You just knew he was going to take this offseason to get better and do what the organization wanted him to in order to improve. You hoped he was going to get more playing time. The team was going to get more from him. We were going to get more as fans.

And now… Well. It’s nothing more than thoughts of what could have been. We’ll never know if he surpassed that expectation that he would be just as good, if not better, than Albert Pujols. If he could have been the greatest Cardinal since Stan Musial. Now. It’s just … he could have been. And that’s just sad for us as fans, for his teammates, for his family.

In the days, weeks and months ahead, we’ll hear more about Oscar. And it will be cathartic for those sharing.

Let us remember that sweet swing, that infectious smile … and sadly, what could have been.

Let us also remember that life is short. Tell those you love that, you love them.

Rest in Peace Oscar. Rest in Peace Edilia.