Monday, December 2, 2013

Players use Twitter to mourn the loss of Evan Chambers

Evan Chambers appeared in 395 games in the Pittsburgh Pirates' organization, 186 of those as a Bradenton Marauder in 2011 and '12.
That was enough time for him to make a positive impact on his teammates.
Chambers, 24, died in his sleep over the weekend, and current and former members of the Pirates' organization took to Twitter to express their grief.
"RIP Evan Chambers," wrote Pirates prospect Austin Meadows. "Great guy, God bless his family and friends."
"Completely heartbroken," added Brock Holt, a former Pirates farmhand who was dealt to the Boston Red Sox last year. "Evan Chambers was as good as they come. Can't believe you're gone. Love you brother, always."
Tony Sanchez, the Pirates' first-round pick in 2009 who made his pro debut last year, wrote that news of Chambers' passing "makes me sick", and former Pirate/current Baltimore Oriole prospect Aaron Baker lamented the loss of his former roommate.
"I love you man," Baker tweeted, "and I will miss ya..."
Neal Huntington, the Pirates' general manager, issued a statement on behalf of the team.
“All of us at the Pittsburgh Pirates are shocked and saddened by Evan’s sudden passing in his sleep this past weekend," Huntington wrote. "Beyond being just a talented ballplayer, Evan was a great teammate and a quiet leader who went about his craft as a professional every day.  Off the field, Evan loved making a difference in the community, and often dedicated a lot of his time working with children in the communities in which he played.  Our heartfelt sympathies and prayers go out to his family for this unimaginable loss.  He was far too young.  He will be missed.”
Chambers graduated from Lakeland High School and was drafted by the Pirates out of Hillsborough Community College in 2009.