SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic -- New York Yankees minor league manager Oscar Acosta and team official Humberto Trejo were killed in a car accident in the Dominican Republic.
Acosta, the manager of the Gulf Coast Yankees of the Rookie
League, and Trejo, the Yankees' field coordinator in the Dominican
Republic, were killed after their car collided with an SUV on a
highway outside of Santo Domingo on Wednesday night, said Carlos
Rio, Yankees director of operations in Latin America.
"They were both fine men and great Yankees," owner George
Steinbrenner said in a statement Thursday.
Acosta, 49, was the pitching coach at Triple-A Columbus from
1996-98, and served in a similar capacity at the major league level
with the Chicago Cubs and Texas Rangers. He was in his third year
as manager of the Gulf Coast team, which he led to league
championships the last two seasons.
Trejo, 38, was in his 16th season working for the Yankees,
serving in a number of capacities, including as a manager, coach
and coordinator of the team's Latin America player-development
program.
"Oscar Acosta and Humberto Trejo touched countless people
within our organization," general manager Brian Cashman said.
"Their dedication and passion to improving young lives far exceed
the boundaries of a baseball field."
The Yankees canceled Thursday's extended spring training game
against Toronto following the accident and the flags at the team's
minor league complex and Legends Field were at half-staff. New York
brought in clergymen to talk with players, many of whom knew both.
Acosta is survived by wife, Kathy, daughters Melissa and Amanda,
and son Ryan. Trejo is survived by wife Beatriz Sanchez, and
daughters Geralin and Jessica.
The driver of the SUV was treated for his injuries and released from a hospital.