Oscar Taveras

For those who follow me on twitter, or know me personally, you know I am a huge St. Louis Cardinals fan. I love them, just like I love the Titans. I hurt when they lose, and I am on cloud nine when they win. Those who know me, will also know that I have a favorite player on the Cardinals, his name is Oscar Taveras, he's 22 years old, plays right field, and has drawn comparisons to Vladimir Guerrero as a guy who can barrel up any ball no matter where it is on the strike zone. He was the number 2 or 3 prospect in baseball the last few years depending on the scout and viewed to be a future All-Star and MVP candidate.

Before 7:23 last night I had been having a great day. Trivial things like, Manchester United drawing with Chelsea, Mettenberger getting his first career start, poking fun at JJ Watt for getting high and mighty about someone taking selfies, the Colts losing, all made me pretty darn happy. But then at 7:23 I read a tweet about Oscar Taveras, the one with the swing of gold, capable of creating such happiness for our viewing pleasure had passed with his girlfriend Edilia Arvelo in a car accident. And just like that, he's gone. Selfishly I can no longer look forward to next season and watch him do what he did best as an athlete, hit baseballs, and hit them hard. I will never again be able to use that majestic swing.

But you know what? This really is not about any of that. This is about a young man, and a young woman, who lost their lives way too soon. They had so much ahead of them in their lives and it just isn't fair. It's not. My thoughts and prayers go out to their friends and families. No one should have to go through this, and I truly cannot imagine what their families are going through right now.

I'm glad I got to watch Oscar play baseball for a year. I'm glad I got to watch his goofy gallop, his infectious smile and even more than that, I'm glad that his family had the privilege of knowing such a delightful guy for 22 years. So what I'm trying to say is enjoy life. Spend it with the ones you love, and do the things you love to do. It's too short not to do so.

Dan Moore is a much more gifted writer than myself. Here is his succinct, eloquent take on a terrible occurrence.

"Do not stand at my grave and weep;
I am not there. I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glints on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry;
I am not there. I did not die."

-Mary Elizabeth Frye

For those of you came expecting Titans links, I apologize, feel free to post them below.