Major League Baseball

Kauffman goes silent for Taveras before Game 6 of World Series

Published Oct. 28, 2014 9:24 p.m. ET

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KANSAS CITY, Mo. — There was a moment of silence before Game 6 of the World Series to honor Cardinals outfielder Oscar Taveras, who died in an automobile accident last weekend in the Dominican Republic.

The 22-year-old Taveras, who made his big-league debut this season, was buried earlier Tuesday in a funeral attended by Cardinals manager Mike Matheny and general manager John Mozeliak.

Royals starter Yordano Ventura, who was close friends with Taveras from their days in the minor leagues, paid tribute to the late outfielder by writing "RIP O.T" on his blue cap. Ventura also wrote "(hash)18," the number that Taveras wore when he played in the minors.

"When we would play against each other, we'd go over to each other's houses and hang out during the minor-league season," Ventura said Monday. "I consider myself a friend of his, and my thoughts are with the family and of all of those who know him."

During the moment of silence, Taveras' picture was shown on the large scoreboard in center field at Kauffman Stadium, where he played two games during an interleague series this summer.

Officials are still investigating the cause of Sunday's accident on a highway in the popular tourist region of Puerto Plata. Taveras' 18-year-old girlfriend, Edilia Arvelo, was also killed when the 2014 Chevrolet Camaro he was driving crashed north of Santo Domingo.

Taveras signed with the Cardinals as an international free agent in 2008, and he rocketed through their farm system. He was ranked the No. 3 overall prospect by Baseball America prior to this season, and wound up making his big-league debut and playing in 80 games.

He batted .239 with three home runs in 80 games, then delivered a pinch-hit homer that tied Game 2 of the NL Championship Series against San Francisco.

Taveras was due to travel next month to Florida, the site of the Cardinals' spring training facility, and then continue his development in the Dominican Winter League.

"Obviously, we're a fraternity. When you meet somebody who does what you do, you get the news obviously we got, it's beyond heartbreaking," Giants pitcher Jake Peavy said. "Spoke to a couple guys who played with him and sent out our regards. But yeah, just want to make this clear that we are obviously thinking about the St. Louis Cardinals and the Taveras family and our MLB family."

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