Former catcher Jesús Montero dies after traffic accident
Caracas – The baseball world mourns the loss of Jesús Montero, former catcher who left his mark in Major League Baseball with the New York Yankees and the Seattle Mariners. Montero passed away at the age of 35 due to a traffic accident in Venezuela. According to official reports, the accident involved Montero’s motorcycle and a truck on October 4th. Since then, the former player remained hospitalized in critical condition, failing to recover from the multiple injuries suffered.The news of the accident shocked Venezuela, generating multiple expressions of sorrow on social media. Montero debuted in the majors with the Yankees in 2011, participating in 18 games. Subsequently, he played 208 games with the Mariners, until the year 2015. Throughout his brief career in the Major Leagues, Montero had a batting average of .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 Montero’s second suspension for violating anti-doping regulations, following a 50-game suspension in 2013. In the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League, Montero played for six seasons with the Navegantes del Magallanes, Cardenales de Lara, and Águilas del Zulia. He retired at age 31, after the 2020-21 season.The Venezuelan Professional Baseball League deeply regrets the passing of Jesús Montero, who left a legacy of effort and passion for the game. Baseball is in mourning today, but 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.
Statement from the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League
