Former catcher Jesús Montero dies after accident in Venezuela
The baseball world mourns the loss of Jesús Montero, former catcher who left his mark in the Major Leagues with the New York Yankees and the Seattle Mariners. Montero, 35, died after a tragic traffic accident in Venezuela. According to official reports, the accident occurred on October 4, when Montero’s motorcycle collided with a truck. Since then, he remained hospitalized in critical condition, failing to recover from the multiple injuries suffered.The news shocked Venezuela, generating numerous expressions of condolence on social media. Montero had an outstanding participation in the Major Leagues. In 2011, he played 18 games with the Yankees. Subsequently, he defended the Mariners’ jersey in 208 games until 2015. Throughout his MLB career, Montero hit .253, hit 28 home runs, and drove in 104 runs. In 2016, while still part of the Toronto Blue Jays’ minor league system, he was suspended for 50 games after testing positive for dimethylbutylamine, a stimulant. This was his second suspension for violating anti-doping regulations, following a 50-game ban in 2013. In the Venezuelan Baseball League, Montero played six seasons with the Navegantes del Magallanes, Cardenales de Lara and Águilas del Zulia. He retired at 31 years old, after the 2020-21 season.The Venezuelan Professional Baseball League expressed its sorrow through a statement on social media: “Venezuelan baseball sadly says goodbye to Jesús Montero… leaving a legacy of effort and passion for the game. Today, baseball mourns his departure. But it also remembers him with gratitude: for every home run that thrilled the fans, for every day he proudly defended the colors of his country, and for every young person who saw in him an example that dreams can be achieved.”
Venezuelan Professional Baseball League
