SANTO DOMINGO. The Dominican Republic, recognized worldwide for its baseball talent, once again laments the loss of young prospects. The recent death of Gustavo Talmaré has shocked the sports community, adding to the tragic passing of Ismael Ureña Pérez, who lost his life in 2024.Both cases highlight the risks and challenges faced by young baseball players on their path to the Major Leagues.
A path marked by tragedy
The pursuit of success in professional baseball often involves extreme sacrifices. Unfortunately, this pursuit can be associated with questionable practices that leave irreparable consequences.Causes of the tragedies
While traffic accidents have claimed the lives of several Dominican baseball players, the application of prohibited substances to young prospects has raised the alarm. The case of Ismael Ureña Pérez is a heartbreaking example.According to the investigation by the Santo Domingo Este Prosecutor’s Office, the teenager was a victim of the injection of veterinary use steroids, a practice intended to improve his performance. His body did not withstand the effects and he died after several days in the hospital.Talmaré’s death reopens the debate on the protection and health of young people seeking to sign a professional contract.Tragedies that marked Dominican baseball
The list of baseball players and prospects who have lost their lives is extensive and painful.- Ramón Lora, 30 years old, traffic accident, 1985
- William Suero, 29 years old, traffic accident, 1995
- José Oliva, 26 years old, traffic accident, 1997
- Rufino Linares, 46 years old, traffic accident, 1998
- Andújar Cedeño, 31 years old, traffic accident, 2000
- José Uribe, 47 years old, traffic accident, 2006
- José Rosario, 20 years old, motorcycle accident, 2013
- Óscar Taveras, 22 years old, traffic accident, 2014
- Sandy Acevedo, 17 years old, traffic accident, 2016
- Yordano Ventura, 25 years old, traffic accident, 2017
- Andy Marte, 33 years old, traffic accident, 2017
- Miguel González, 21 years old, traffic accident, 2017
- Jairo Capellán, 19 years old, traffic accident, 2018
- Reyes Armando Moronta, 34 years old, traffic accident, 2024
- Roberto Gómez Castillo, 35 years old, traffic accident, 2024
- Ronny García, 22 years old, traffic accident, 2024
- Ismael Ureña Pérez, 14 years old, alleged horse steroid injection, 2024
- Gustavo Talmaré, death under medical investigation, 2025
