'We loved Oscar, and he loved us'

A man expressing love for another man in Western culture isn’t popular, unless it has sexual overtones. True, brotherly love has become an almost foreign concept. But the St. Louis Cardinals’ response to outfielder Oscar Taveras’ death on Sunday—especially that of manager Mike Matheny—shattered the “bro-culture” facade of male relationships.

“In my opinion, the word ‘love’ is the most misused, and misunderstood word in the English language,” Matheny said in a statement Monday. He said he could not compose himself to speak publicly. “It is not popular for men to use this word, and even less popular for athletes. But, there is not a more accurate word for how a group of men share a deep and genuine concern for each other. We loved Oscar, and he loved us. That is what a team does, that is what a family does. You will be missed, Oscar.”

Taveras, a 22-year-old rookie, wrapped his 2014 Chevrolet Camaro around a tree Sunday in his native Dominican Republic, killing himself and his 18-year-old girlfriend Edilia Arvelo. The Cardinals signed Taveras in 2008, when he was just a teen. He hit a home run in his first pro game on May 31. His last home run came Oct. 12 in Game 2 of the National League Championship Series, the only game St. Louis won against San Francisco.

The news of his death broke as Game 5 of the World Series began Sunday. Giants outfielder and Taveras’ countryman, Juan Perez, at times fought back tears, dedicating his game-sealing, two-run double in the eighth inning to his close friend. “I know his family pretty good,” Perez said. “I know his mom, his dad, his brothers—we were really close.”

Cardinals players described Taveras’ personality as infectious, specifically his smile and his joy simply from playing baseball. “Today is a one of the saddest days of my life,” tweeted pitcher Carlos Martinez, who accompanied Matheny and general manager John Mozeliak to today’s private funeral and burial.

Many news stories and statements from baseball executives and the wider sports world sounded much the same. Taveras was taken from us far too soon, they said, wondering about the career that could have been. Their statements mourned the value of what Taveras could have contributed to baseball, to society.

But Matheny, an outspoken Christian, asks his players to buy into the idea that team is family. Matheny and many of Taveras’ teammates refused to put forward cliches of condolences. They declared Taveras’ value came from more than just what he could contribute.

“To say this is a horrible loss of a life ended too soon would be an understatement,” Matheny wrote. “To talk about the potential of his abilities seemed to be untimely. All I wanted to do was get the guys together and be with our baseball family. I know the hurt that comes along with buying into the brotherhood of a baseball team. That hurt is just as powerful as the joys that come with this life. … The ache is deep because the relationships were deep, and forged through time and trials.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.