I received some very sad news this afternoon that Pittsburgh Pirates minor leaguer Evan Chambers has passed away at the age of 24. Around the same time I heard, several Pirates minor leaguers were expressing their condolences, which can be seen below. I’m not sure of the exact cause, although Phil Irwin tweeted that he died in his sleep over the weekend.
Professionally, Evan was drafted by the Pirates in the third round of the 2009 draft. He was considered a potential five tool talent when he was drafted, and spent the last four years in the Pirates’ system. He played between Bradenton and Altoona in 2012, and missed most of the 2013 season with a broken foot.
Personally, Evan was one of the nicest guys I’ve met. I can’t remember a time where I saw him and he was not smiling. That was even true when I saw him on an almost daily basis this past season during his slow recovery from his broken foot. Even with the injury and the lost season, he was as upbeat as ever.
This site is all about tracking players throughout the farm system, but the reality is that baseball is just entertainment and an escape from everyday life. There are far more important things, and sad news like this puts that all into perspective. The most important thing about Chambers wasn’t that he was athletic or that he had a lot of great tools on the baseball field. The most important thing was that he was a great person. It’s incredibly sad that the world lost such a great person at such a young age. Thoughts and condolences go out to his family and loves ones.
DONATIONS: The Chambers family has requested that donations be made in Evan’s name to the charity below in lieu of flowers.
Foundation for Dreams and Dream Oaks Camp
16110 Dream Oaks Place
Bradenton, FL 34212
On behalf of everyone at Pirates Prospects, I’ll be donating all of the advertising revenue generated from this article in Evan’s name.
Here are all of the sentiments expressed by members of the Pirates’ organization.
Neal Huntington:
“All of us at the Pittsburgh Pirates are shocked and saddened by Evan’s sudden passing in his sleep this past weekend. 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.”
Kyle Stark:
Evan Chambers was a good young man who was liked and respected by most everyone he met. He worked hard, treated people right, and made those around him better for knowing him. He represented himself, his family, and our organization very well – and ultimately was what we all aspire to be here – a PRO.
This is a tough pill to swallow. You are gone too soon.. Evan Chambers, u will be missed bro. I know ur w/ God now pic.twitter.com/evoElUbH77
— Andrew McCutchen (@TheCUTCH22) December 3, 2013
Can't help but question why you were taken so early. Makes me sick. RIP Evan Chambers. Love you man.
— Tony Sanchez (@Tony26Montana) December 2, 2013
My thoughts and prayers go out to Evan Chambers and his family, I'm so incredibly sorry for your loss #RIPEvanChambers
— Phillip Irwin (@FilthyPhil36) December 2, 2013
So sad to hear about Chambo passing away. He was always one of my favorite teammates! Such a great guy. Too young. #RIPEvanChambers
— Jameson Taillon (@JTaillon50) December 2, 2013
My prayers go out to the Chambers family. Such an amazing young man taken way to soon. #RIPEvanChambers
— Ryan Hafner (@RHafner8610) December 2, 2013
https://twitter.com/Doddie011/status/407624105920196608
My heart is in shock rite now I really can't believe you had to go that fast a good friend #ripevanchambers good teammate
— Bryton T. (@Bryton32) December 2, 2013
https://twitter.com/BrockStar4Lyf/status/407626868553031682
RIP Evan Chambers. Great guy, God Bless his family and friends.
— Austin Meadows (@austin_meadows) December 2, 2013
https://twitter.com/Reese_McGuire21/status/407631359528534016
https://twitter.com/SantosSwag/status/407594635905622016
https://twitter.com/b_barnes1991/status/407586868771823616
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family of former Spike Evan Chambers. #RIPEvanChambers
— State College Spikes (@SCSpikes) December 2, 2013
https://twitter.com/ZVR09/status/407644429076267008
Thoughts and Prayers to Evan Chambers and his Family!! A life taken way to soon, very sad! #RIP #piratesfamily
— Michael Fransoso (@M_Fransoso) December 2, 2013
Wow I can't believe the news I just got. Came pretty close with Chambers this summer. A great dude. #RIPEvanChambers
— Justin Maffei (@J__Maffei) December 2, 2013
My thoughts & prayers r with Evan Chambers and his family Dont take your life for granted live everyday like its your last #RIPEvanChambers
— Jeff Roy (@Jroy345) December 2, 2013
Just in disbelief.Evan Chambers was a great guy,treated everybody the same and will be missed.Prayers go out to the Chambers family #RIP
— Chris Diaz (@cdiaz2) December 2, 2013
Thoughts and prayers go out to Evan Chambers and his family. Tough to find a better all around person. We will miss you brother! #RIP
— Tim Alderson (@TimmyJim32) December 3, 2013
Just got out of practice and first txt i read is the sadest news ive heard in a while.. Rest in peace my homie chambo #RIPEvanChambers
Rest in peace chambo. Thoughts and prayers out to his family. Amazing people lost an amazing person.
— Jarek Cunningham (@JarekCunningham) December 3, 2013
Wow… I am speechless. Thoughts and prayers go out to the Chambers family.. Taken too young. #RIPEvanChambers
— Robby Rowland (@RobbyRow_12) December 3, 2013
My thoughts and prayers go out to the Chambers family, sad sad news. #RIPEvanChambers
— Bryan Morris (@Bryan19Morris) December 3, 2013
We are very sorry to hear about the passing of former Power OF Evan Chambers. Our thoughts are with his family and friends.
— Charleston Dirty Birds (@dirtybirdscwv) December 3, 2013
https://twitter.com/MattyCurry17/status/407691687398342657
This is crazy he was a great guy #RIPEvanChambers
— jon sandfort (@jon_sandfort) December 3, 2013
Saddened to hear about the passing of Evan Chambers! He was a good guy! Prayers out to the Chambers family!
— Josh Harrison (@jhay_da_man) December 3, 2013
Thoughts and prayers are with the Evan Chambers family. May he rest in peace.
— Jeff Karstens (@karstens27) December 3, 2013
Saddened to hear of the passing of former teammate Evan Chambers… Great person that lived life to the fullest #RIPEvanChambers
— Mike Williams (@BlendrofGr8ness) December 3, 2013
https://twitter.com/Max_Moroff/status/407698092264157184
https://twitter.com/wmathisen_4/status/407649668953145345
https://twitter.com/ABake2415/status/407626185896513537
https://twitter.com/ABake2415/status/407626388460429313
Shocking news about Chambo, words can't explain how much of a great guy he was, you'll be missed #RIPEvanChambers
— Jared Lakind (@JaredLakind) December 3, 2013
Gone to soon…Was able to get to know Evan Chambers this past year.. We lost a great ball player and an even better human being!
— Adam Landecker (@AdamLandecker) December 3, 2013
I was just two lockers over from Evan just over a month ago. Still can't believe the news. My prayers go out to his family #RIPEvanChambers
— Danny Collins (@dcbaseball202) December 3, 2013
