Former Major League Baseball catcher Jesus Montero, known for his time with the New York Yankees and Seattle Mariners, died on Sunday, October 19 at the age of 35 in a hospital in Valencia, Venezuela. His death came two weeks after he was involved in a serious traffic accident while riding his motorcycle.
The impact, which occurred in the early hours of October 4, happened when a van collided with the baseball player’s motorcycle. Montero was rushed to the Ciudad Hospitalaria Dr. Enrique Tejera, where he remained in intensive care with multiple fractures, severe internal injuries and a punctured lung, according to his brother Maikel Guevara.
Reactions from Venezuelan baseball and MLB to the death of Jesus Montero
The death of Jesus Montero was confirmed by the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League (LVBP), which bid him farewell with an emotional message on social media:
Today, Venezuelan baseball is in mourning. Jesus Montero, a former Yankees prospect with five years of MLB experience and six seasons in the LVBP, has passed away in Valencia. Thank you for every at-bat, for every home run, for every day you proudly defended our colors
Various national and international baseball figures and personalities expressed their sorrow after the news of Jesus Montero’s death. Teams such as the Yankees and former teammates also expressed their condolences on social networks.
Who was Jesus Montero? Yankees prospect with a career marked by ups and downs
Born in Guacara, Montero was one of the great promises of Venezuelan baseball. At the age of 16, he was signed by the Yankees with a bonus of $1.6 million, one of the highest at the time for an international prospect. His MLB debut came in 2011 and he quickly impressed with a .328 average, four home runs and 12 runs batted in his first 18 games.
Despite his talent, his career was full of obstacles, such as in 2012 when he was traded to the Seattle Mariners as part of the deal for Michael Pineda and later faced two suspensions for violating anti-doping regulations. His last experience in Major League Baseball was in 2016 with the Toronto Blue Jays, teams that are now playing a decisive game in the American League Championship Series.
In the Venezuelan league, Montero made his mark playing for Navegantes, Cardenales and Aguilas over six seasons. His last appearance was in the 2020-2021 campaign at just 31 years of age.
Read the full article here
