The baseball world is mourning the loss of former New York Yankees and Seattle Mariners catcher Jesus Montero, who tragically died at the age of 35 in his home country, Venezuela.
According to multiple Venezuelan sports outlets, Montero passed away on Sunday after spending weeks in critical condition following a devastating traffic accident.
Fatal Motorcycle Crash Near Valencia
Reports indicate that Montero was riding his motorcycle near the city of Valencia when he was struck by a truck.
Though he initially survived the crash, his injuries proved too severe, and he sadly succumbed to them several weeks later.
The New York Yankees confirmed the heartbreaking news with a statement on Sunday, saying:
“The Yankees are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Jesus Montero.
We send our sincerest condolences to his family and loved ones.”
Rising Star Turned Major League Player
Born in Venezuela, Montero’s baseball journey began when he signed with the Yankees in 2006.
At the time, he was widely regarded as one of the most promising young hitters of his class—a player with tremendous power potential and a bright future ahead.
He spent several years developing in the Yankees’ minor league system, where his talent drew attention across the league.
At one point, he was nearly traded to the Seattle Mariners in a deal for star pitcher Cliff Lee, but that trade never materialized, as Lee ended up with the Texas Rangers instead.
Major League Debut and Short Stint in New York
Montero’s long-awaited major league debut came on September 1, 2011, at Fenway Park in Boston against the Red Sox.
Though he showed flashes of promise, his time in New York was brief—just 18 regular season games and one postseason appearance in the ALDS against the Detroit Tigers.
After the 2011 season, the Yankees traded Montero and pitching prospect Hector Noesi to the Mariners in exchange for pitchers Michael Pineda and Jose Campos.
Four Seasons in Seattle and a Series of Setbacks
Montero went on to play four seasons in Seattle, appearing in 208 games with 796 plate appearances.
However, his career was hampered by a string of unfortunate injuries and controversies.
In 2013, he tore his left meniscus and required surgery. That same year, he was suspended for 50 games after being linked to the Biogenesis scandal, which involved performance-enhancing drugs.
The following year, Montero’s struggles continued. He reported to spring training roughly 40 pounds overweight and later got into an altercation with a team instructor during a minor league game.
The Mariners suspended him for the remainder of the 2014 season.
A Brief Return Before the End of His MLB Career
Montero made a short-lived comeback to the majors in July 2015, marking his final appearance in MLB.
Afterward, he was designated for assignment by Seattle and later picked up by the Toronto Blue Jays, who placed him in their farm system.
He went on to play for the Baltimore Orioles’ minor league affiliate in 2017 and later continued his baseball career in Mexico and Venezuela.
Career Highlights and Personal Life
Across his MLB career, Montero posted a .253 batting average, with 28 home runs, 104 RBIs, 204 hits, and 73 runs scored.
Outside of baseball, Montero was a devoted father to his two children, Loren Alejandra, 11, and Jesus Alejandro, 10, whom he shared with Venezuelan model Taneth Gimenez.
Both of his children are on the autism spectrum—a part of his life he reportedly embraced with deep love and patience.
Remembering a Once-Promising Talent
Though his career was filled with both highs and lows, Jesus Montero will be remembered as a powerful hitter who once represented the bright future of Venezuelan baseball talent in the major leagues.
His untimely death has left fans and teammates heartbroken across both New York and Seattle, where his journey first began.
The baseball world is mourning the loss of former New York Yankees and Seattle Mariners catcher Jesus Montero, who tragically died at the age of 35 in his home country, Venezuela.
According to multiple Venezuelan sports outlets, Montero passed away on Sunday after spending weeks in critical condition following a devastating traffic accident.
Fatal Motorcycle Crash Near Valencia
Reports indicate that Montero was riding his motorcycle near the city of Valencia when he was struck by a truck.
Though he initially survived the crash, his injuries proved too severe, and he sadly succumbed to them several weeks later.
The New York Yankees confirmed the heartbreaking news with a statement on Sunday, saying:
“The Yankees are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Jesus Montero. We send our sincerest condolences to his family and loved ones.”
Rising Star Turned Major League Player
Born in Venezuela, Montero’s baseball journey began when he signed with the Yankees in 2006.
At the time, he was widely regarded as one of the most promising young hitters of his class—a player with tremendous power potential and a bright future ahead.
He spent several years developing in the Yankees’ minor league system, where his talent drew attention across the league.
At one point, he was nearly traded to the Seattle Mariners in a deal for star pitcher Cliff Lee, but that trade never materialized, as Lee ended up with the Texas Rangers instead.
Major League Debut and Short Stint in New York
Montero’s long-awaited major league debut came on September 1, 2011, at Fenway Park in Boston against the Red Sox.
Though he showed flashes of promise, his time in New York was brief—just 18 regular season games and one postseason appearance in the ALDS against the Detroit Tigers.
After the 2011 season, the Yankees traded Montero and pitching prospect Hector Noesi to the Mariners in exchange for pitchers Michael Pineda and Jose Campos.
Four Seasons in Seattle and a Series of Setbacks
Montero went on to play four seasons in Seattle, appearing in 208 games with 796 plate appearances.
However, his career was hampered by a string of unfortunate injuries and controversies.
In 2013, he tore his left meniscus and required surgery.
That same year, he was suspended for 50 games after being linked to the Biogenesis scandal, which involved performance-enhancing drugs.
The following year, Montero’s struggles continued. He reported to spring training roughly 40 pounds overweight and later got into an altercation with a team instructor during a minor league game.
The Mariners suspended him for the remainder of the 2014 season.
A Brief Return Before the End of His MLB Career
Montero made a short-lived comeback to the majors in July 2015, marking his final appearance in MLB.
Afterward, he was designated for assignment by Seattle and later picked up by the Toronto Blue Jays, who placed him in their farm system.
He went on to play for the Baltimore Orioles’ minor league affiliate in 2017 and later continued his baseball career in Mexico and Venezuela.
Career Highlights and Personal Life
Across his MLB career, Montero posted a .253 batting average, with 28 home runs, 104 RBIs, 204 hits, and 73 runs scored.
Outside of baseball, Montero was a devoted father to his two children, Loren Alejandra, 11, and Jesus Alejandro, 10, whom he shared with Venezuelan model Taneth Gimenez.
Both of his children are on the autism spectrum—a part of his life he reportedly embraced with deep love and patience.
Remembering a Once-Promising Talent
Though his career was filled with both highs and lows, Jesus Montero will be remembered as a powerful hitter who once represented the bright future of Venezuelan baseball talent in the major leagues.
His untimely death has left fans and teammates heartbroken across both New York and Seattle, where his journey first began.