The baseball world is mourning the heartbreaking loss of former New York Yankees and Seattle Mariners catcher Jesús Montero, who tragically passed away at the age of 35 in his home country, Venezuela.
News of his death was confirmed on Sunday, with the Yankees expressing their sorrow in a statement: “The Yankees are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Jesús Montero.
We send our sincerest condolences to his family and loved ones.”
A Tragic End After a Devastating Accident
According to reports from Venezuelan sports outlets, Montero had been fighting for his life following a serious motorcycle accident several weeks ago.
He was reportedly riding near the city of Valencia when he was struck by a truck.
Despite medical efforts to save him, Montero succumbed to his injuries on Sunday, leaving behind a legacy that touched fans both in Venezuela and across Major League Baseball.
A Star Once Destined for Greatness
Montero’s baseball journey began in 2006, when he signed with the New York Yankees as a highly sought-after international prospect.
Scouts and analysts at the time praised his exceptional hitting power, calling him one of the best young talents of his class.
He spent four years in the Yankees’ minor league system and was even rumored to be part of a blockbuster trade deal that would have brought pitcher Cliff Lee to New York.
Though that trade never happened, Montero’s potential kept him in the spotlight.
Making His Mark in the Majors
The Venezuelan catcher made his Major League Baseball debut on September 1, 2011, against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park — a moment that marked the fulfillment of years of promise.
Montero’s time with the Yankees was brief but memorable.
He played 18 regular-season games and even appeared in one playoff matchup during the American League Division Series against the Detroit Tigers.
That offseason, New York traded him — along with pitcher Héctor Noesí — to the Seattle Mariners in exchange for pitchers Michael Pineda and José Campos.
A Career of Highs, Setbacks, and Second Chances
Montero went on to play four seasons with the Mariners, logging 208 games and nearly 800 plate appearances.
However, his promising career was soon overshadowed by injuries and controversy.
In 2013, he suffered a torn left meniscus that required surgery and was later suspended for 50 games as part of MLB’s Biogenesis scandal, which involved the use of performance-enhancing drugs.
A year later, his struggles continued. Montero arrived at spring training nearly 40 pounds overweight, and tensions boiled over when he was involved in an altercation with a Mariners instructor.
The team banned him for the rest of that season.
He made a brief comeback in 2015, returning to the majors that July, but his time with Seattle came to an end shortly afterward.
Continuing to Chase the Game He Loved
After being designated for assignment by Seattle, Montero was claimed by the Toronto Blue Jays and placed in their farm system.
He later joined the Baltimore Orioles’ minor league organization in 2017 before taking his talents to play professionally in Mexico and Venezuela.
Across his MLB career, Montero posted a .253 batting average, hitting 28 home runs, driving in 104 runs, and collecting 204 hits.
Remembering the Man Behind the Player
Off the field, Jesús Montero was a devoted father. He shared two children — Loren Alejandra, 11, and Jesús Alejandro, 10 — with Venezuelan model Taneth Giménez.
Both of his children are on the autism spectrum, and Montero often spoke lovingly of them, describing them as his greatest motivation in life.
His untimely death has left a deep void among those who knew him, from teammates who remembered his joyful spirit to fans who followed his career from his earliest days in pinstripes.
A Legacy Cut Short
Jesús Montero’s story was one of raw talent, early fame, and human flaws — but also of resilience and love for the game.
Though his life was tragically cut short, he’ll be remembered for the spark he brought to baseball and the inspiration he left behind for young players in Venezuela who still dream of following in his footsteps.