Former MLB star Juan Jaime suddenly passed away at the age of 37 after reportedly suffering from a heart attack. The news of the athlete’s early death has shocked professional baseball fans, as Jaime had a brief but successful stint in the MLB. The Dominican-born pitcher spent the 2014 and 2015 seasons with the Atlanta Braves and was traded around the league before also playing internationally.
Jaime was playing in Colombia at the time of his death. “Dominican baseball player Juan José Jaime Hernández died of a heart attack at the age of 37. He was currently with the Toros de Sincelejo of the LPB in Colombia. In the MLB he was with the Washington Nationals, Arizona Diamondbacks, Atlanta Braves and Los Angeles Dodgers,” one person reported on social media.
MSN Journalist Damián Rancez wrote a glowing piece about Jaime, recounting his impressive career and the legacy he leaves behind. “Born in Madre Vieja, San Cristóbal, Dominican Republic, Juan Jaime’s baseball journey began when he was drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the 2010 amateur draft. With perseverance and raw talent, he rose through the minor leagues and achieved his dream of playing in the MLB. Jaime made his debut with the Braves in 2014, showcasing his competitive spirit and earning admiration from Atlanta fans despite his limited time on the mound,” Rancez wrote.
The journalist added, “While his MLB career was brief, Juan Jaime’s impact on the game was undeniable. He was celebrated for his electrifying fastball, which often reached triple digits, and his resilience in overcoming challenges throughout his baseball journey. His love for the sport and dedication to representing his Dominican roots left a lasting impression on teammates and fans. Jaime’s untimely passing has deeply affected both the Dominican baseball community and the Atlanta Braves organization.”
The Colombian baseball team, the Tigres de Cartagena, shared a message on Instagram, mourning Jaime’s death. “The Tigres de Cartagena and Bolivar organization deeply regrets the death of Dominican pitcher Juan Jaime. Jaime was part of our organization during the 2023/2024 season, standing out not only as a great pitcher, but also for his camaraderie and joy, qualities that he marked both on and off the field of play,” the post read.
The statement concluded, “Juan Jaime played in the Major Leagues with the Atlanta Braves, having Colombian cousins Julio Teherán Pinto and Sugar Ray Marimón as teammates. We again express our deep regret for this unfortunate loss, sending a message of strength and solidarity to all his family and loved ones.”
The American Tribune also reported on the untimely death of another young athlete, 26-year-old Swiss Olympic snowboarder Sophie Hediger. “We are stunned and in our thoughts with Sophie’s family, to whom we express our deepest condolences,” Swiss-Ski CEO Walter Reusser said in a statement. He noted, “With the tragic death of Sophie Hediger, a dark shadow has been placed over the Christmas days for the Swiss ski family. We are immeasurably sad. We will keep Sophie an honorable memory.”
Hediger’s passing sparked an outpouring of support from across the ski community on social media. Reporting about the incident on X, ESPN wrote, “Sophie Hediger, a member of Switzerland’s national snowboard cross team, died in an avalanche at the mountain resort of Arosa, the Swiss-Ski federation said on Tuesday. Hediger, 26, was caught up in the avalanche in Arosa on Monday.”
Featured image credit: tigresctg / Instagram
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