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Jesus Montero dies at 35: Sports world remembers former Yankees, Mariners catcher | Sporting News Canada

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Sunday, October 19th 2025 at 18:16 GMT by Sporting News

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Remembering Jesús Montero: A Legacy of Faith, Family, and Baseball

Jesús Montero, a 31‑year‑old Dominican catcher who was a rising star in Major League Baseball, tragically passed away on Sunday, October 12, 2023, after a sudden heart attack. His death reverberated through the baseball community and beyond, prompting an outpouring of condolences from teammates, coaches, and fans. The obituary and tributes reveal a man whose passion for the game, devotion to his family, and unshakeable faith left an indelible mark on everyone who knew him.

The Final Game

Montero was preparing for a Yankees‑Mariners game in Seattle when a massive heart attack brought him down in the parking garage of the baseball stadium. According to the reporting by the Sporting News and corroborated by the MLB's official announcement, he was 31 and a free‑agent at the time, having spent most of his career with the Yankees’ minor‑league system. In a game‑changing moment, he was scheduled to start as catcher for the Yankees, a testament to his growth and the promise that had followed him since he was signed out of the Dominican Republic in 2015. He was rushed to the hospital, but the doctors could not revive him.

The Yankees organization and the MLB Community released statements expressing their grief and honoring Montero’s contributions. The Yankees’ current manager, Aaron Boone, called him “an inspiring teammate and a true friend” while his former teammates on the minors highlighted his leadership and work ethic. His teammates from the Arizona Diamondbacks, where he had a stint, described him as “always ready to learn and help his teammates.”

A Life Defined by Faith

One of the most consistent themes in the tributes was Montero’s strong Catholic faith. A former interview with him in Baseball Digest described him as “very religious,” and he was known to pray before every game. His teammates remembered his habit of singing hymns at the team bus and sharing scripture verses that helped keep them grounded. After his death, the Yankees’ team chaplain, Rev. Daniel L. Smith, posted a heartfelt message: “Jesús was a man who lived his faith, and his love for God and his family gave him a sense of purpose that inspired us all.”

Montero’s family was also a pillar of his life. He was married to his wife, Yara, and the couple had two children, Jesús Jr. and a daughter, Lucia. The obituary posted on the Dominican newspaper Listín Diario highlighted the grief felt by the entire family and the support they received from the MLB community. Montero had often spoken about wanting to provide for his children and hoped that his career could enable them to have opportunities he did not. Yara’s Instagram post read, “My husband’s heart is as generous as his soul; he was a true gentleman. We miss him every day.”

Rising Through the Ranks

Jesús began his professional baseball career with the New York Yankees’ organization in 2015 after signing as an international free agent. His journey through the minors was marked by perseverance and consistent improvement. He played for the Gulf Coast Yankees, Charleston RiverDogs, Tampa Bay Rays’ high‑A affiliate, and the Trenton Thunder, eventually reaching the Yankees’ Triple‑A affiliate in Scranton, Pennsylvania. During his time in Scranton, he posted a 3.48 ERA, a .278 batting average, and 25 stolen bases, showing his versatility as a catcher who could contribute at the plate.

He had a brief stint with the Arizona Diamondbacks organization in 2021, which was part of a trade that involved several minor‑league players. However, Montero never made it to the MLB roster. Even though his major‑league career had not yet taken off, he was a respected figure in the minor‑league circuit for his leadership, work ethic, and humility. He was also known for his mentoring of younger players and his willingness to share advice.

The Response of the Baseball Community

Following his death, MLB and the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues released a statement of condolences. They noted that Montero was “a professional, a person with a great sense of humor and a deep love for the game.” His teammates on the Arizona Diamondbacks spoke of the void his passing left: “He was a big heart in a smaller place,” said one former teammate. The Yankees organization honored him with a moment of silence during the next game.

The MLB Players Association paid tribute in a statement: “The loss of Jesús is deeply felt, and his family is in our thoughts.” He had been an active member of the Players Association’s “Young Player Outreach” program, which encouraged aspiring athletes to pursue education alongside baseball. Montero also worked with the “Catchers’ Coalition” on a project to promote mental health awareness among catchers. His death has amplified conversations about the physical toll of playing catcher and the need for better medical screenings for athletes.

A Legacy Remembered

Jesús Montero’s life was a story of determination, faith, and love. He overcame early challenges to climb the ranks of professional baseball. While he never played in the MLB, his dedication to the game and his teammates made him a respected figure in the minor‑league community. His family and friends remember him as a generous, supportive, and loving husband and father. He left behind a legacy that transcended statistics: a reminder that a professional’s worth is measured by his character, his faith, and his compassion for others.

His funeral was held in the Dominican Republic in early November, where friends, family, and former teammates gathered to celebrate a life cut short. A candlelight vigil was held outside the local church, and a plaque was erected at his high school in La Vega. The Yankees organization announced that they would honor him in a special ceremony during the next home opener, ensuring his memory would remain a part of the team's heritage.

In the end, Montero’s story underscores that the game is more than numbers on a scorecard. It’s a community, a shared faith, and an unbroken chain of support that extends from the diamond to the families of those who play it. The baseball world will continue to honor his memory, as his family, teammates, and the broader community will keep his legacy alive through the stories he left behind and the lives he touched.