Former Mariners and Yankees Player, Jesús Montero, Dies at 35

The retired MLB player died on Oct. 19 from ’serious injuries’ sustained in a motorcycle crash in his native Venezuela.

Jesus Montero #63 of the New York Yankees celebrates his fifth inning home run, his first in the major leagues, against the Baltimore Orioles at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx borough of New York City on Sept. 5, 2011. Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

Former MLB catcher Jesús Montero, who played for the Seattle Mariners and New York Yankees, has died at 35-years-old in a motorcycle accident.

The Yankees confirmed news of his passing in a statement on Oct. 19, paying tribute to baseball player and offering their “sincerest condolences to his family & loved ones.”

On Oct. 4, Montero crashed into a truck while he was riding his motorcycle in his home country of Venezuela, where he was left in critical condition.

“Venezuelan baseball sadly bids farewell to Jesús Montero … leaving behind a legacy of effort and passion for the game,” the league, in which he played six seasons, said on X.

“Today, baseball mourns his passing. But it also remembers him with gratitude: for every home run that thrilled the fans, for every day in which he proudly defended his country’s colors, and for every young person who saw in him an example that dreams can be achieved.”

Montero was placed in a medically induced coma after sustaining injuries to his lungs and other organs, along with fractures in one leg and several broken ribs, according to a Go-Fund-Me page created by his family.

“Jesus was not only a great athlete but he is also a good friend, a noble, generous and big-hearted man,” read the fundraiser.

“Those of us who know him know of his strength and fighting spirit, but today he needs us to continue to struggle—this time, off the field.”

As of Oct. 16, Montero was in the Intensive Care Unit where he underwent kidney dialysis and surgeries in an effort to stabilize him. However, he later succumbed to his injuries.

“We join the baseball community in mourning the passing of former Major League player Jesús Montero,” the MLB wrote in their own tribute on X, before highlighting his career.

“As a Minor League prospect, Montero appeared in the All-Star Futures game twice before debuting for the New York Yankees in September 2011. He posted a .996 OPS with 4 home runs and 12 RBI in 18 games and helped New York win the AL East Division title.”

Following his big-league debut, Montero played 18 games with the Yankees, before appearing in 208 games in four seasons with the Mariners from 2012 to 2015. He hit 24 home runs and 92 runs batted in as a catcher, first baseman, and designated hitter.

In 2016, he was claimed off waivers by the Toronto Blue Jays and signed as a free agent the following year to a minor league contract with the Baltimore Orioles but never reached the majors.

Montero continued to play in the Venezuelan Winter League before retiring at age 31 following the 2020 to 2021 season.